19291930

1929–1930 refers to the period spanning the end of the 1920s and the early years of the 1930s, characterized by the onset of the Great Depression following the 1929 stock market crash and the ensuing global economic downturn. The defining event of 1929 was the stock market crash of October, highlighted by Black Tuesday on October 29, when a dramatic loss of confidence led to a severe drop in share prices and a rapid contraction of economic activity. The crash undermined financial stability and precipitated a credit crunch, with spillover effects across industries and countries.

In 1930, the downturn deepened. Unemployment rose sharply, agricultural prices collapsed, and consumer demand remained weak. Governments grappled with fragile fiscal situations and debated how to respond. A notable policy act in this year was the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, enacted in the United States in June 1930, which raised import duties and contributed to a broader decline in international trade. Financial stress and a loss of confidence persisted, with some bank failures and ongoing difficulties in credit markets.

The period also saw political ramifications. Economic distress helped destabilize political systems in several countries; in Germany, the September 1930 elections led to a substantial increase in seats for the Nazi Party, signaling the rising influence of radical movements during this turbulent era.

Overall, 1929–1930 mark the transition from the prosperous late 1920s to the early-1930s depression, setting in motion broader economic, social, and political changes that would unfold throughout the decade.