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Depression — GCSE History Definition | GradeGen

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History
Key terms
Depression

GCSE History · key term

Depression

Definition

A severe, prolonged economic downturn in which production and business activity fall and unemployment rises.

Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR

How each exam board covers it

AQA GCSE History · 8145

Paper 1

A prolonged, severe economic downturn in which production and spending fall, businesses fail and unemployment rises.
The Great Depression was a prolonged, severe economic downturn that followed the Wall Street Crash of October 1929. Herbert Hoover, a Republican, had become president earlier that year. His presidency began amid expectations of continued prosperity, but it soon became associated with unemployment and poverty.
Revise: Society during the Depression
A prolonged, severe economic downturn affecting production, trade and employment.
Revise: Collapse of the League

Exam tips

1
When judging importance, explain how factors worked together. The Depression created opportunities that Nazi organisation and propaganda helped exploit.

Related key terms

Foreclosure
KPD
New Deal
Propaganda
Reichstag

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AQA History past papers

Edexcel GCSE History · 1HI0

Paper 3

A prolonged, severe downturn in economic activity, involving falling production, business failures and high unemployment.
The Depression changed the circumstances in which voters made their choices: millions faced unemployment, poverty and uncertainty, while the government appeared unable to help.
Revise: Growth in Support

Edexcel History past papers

OCR GCSE History A · J410

Paper 1

A severe, prolonged economic downturn in which production and spending fall, businesses struggle and unemployment rises.
The Great Depression was a severe and prolonged economic downturn. Germany was particularly vulnerable because its recovery during the 1920s had depended heavily on American loans. These loans helped support German businesses and the wider economy, including the system of reparations payments following the First World War.
Revise: The Great Depression and Nazi Electoral Success (1929–1933)
Revise: The Great Depression and the 1932 Election

OCR History A past papers

Rugged individualism

Wall Street Crash