Which event marked the beginning of the Great Depression in the United States?

The stock market crash of 1929 is recognized as the event that marked the beginning of the Great Depression in the United States. This crash resulted from a combination of factors, including rampant speculation and an overvalued stock market, leading to a sudden loss of confidence among investors. As stock prices plummeted, it created a ripple effect throughout the economy, ultimately resulting in widespread bank failures, massive unemployment, and a severe contraction in economic activity. This event significantly undermined consumer confidence and laid the groundwork for a decade-long economic downturn that characterized the Great Depression.

Other events listed, such as the end of World War I and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles, primarily pertained to international relations and the political landscape of the time, rather than directly influencing the economic conditions that led to the Great Depression. The Dust Bowl, while having devastating effects on agriculture and contributing to hardships during the Great Depression, occurred later in the 1930s and was a consequence rather than a cause of the economic crisis.