Question: what were the primary causes of the great depression

title: Causes of the Great Depression
text: The causes of the Great Depression in the early 20th century have been extensively discussed by economists and remain a matter of active debate . They are part of the larger debate about economic crises . The specific economic events that took place during the Great Depression are well established . There was an initial stock market crash that triggered a `` panic sell - off '' of assets . This was followed by a deflation in asset and commodity prices , dramatic drops in demand and credit , and disruption of trade , ultimately resulting in widespread unemployment ( over 13 million people were unemployed by 1932 ) and impoverishment . However , economists and historians have not reached a consensus on the causal relationships between various events and government economic policies in causing or ameliorating the Depression . 

Answer: answer: The causes of the Great Depression in the early 20th century have been extensively discussed by economists and remain a matter of active debate. There was an initial stock market crash. This was followed by a deflation in asset and commodity prices, dramatic drops in demand and credit, and disruption of trade, ultimately resulting in widespread unemployment.