The causes of the Great Depression were many. In fact, not all historians and economists even agree about them. However, there is no denying that the Great Depression had a huge impact on the United States and the world. It led to a change in the way the federal government assisted US citizens through the implementation of Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal policies. More than this, however, the impact that the Great Depression had around the world led to the rise of extremism in many countries. The most notable example of this was Hitler's rise as the head of the Nazi Party. His economic programs helped pull Germany out of its depression. At the same time, his increased power allowed him to institute his horrible policies against the Jewish people that resulted in the holocaust along with his invasion of many surrounding countries that would lead to World War II.

• Top Causes of the Great Depression
• New Deal Acronyms
• Overview of World War II

Photo Credit: Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, FSA-OWI Collection, LC-USF34-9058-C