Great Depression in the United States
The Great Depression began in August 1929, when the United States economy first went into an economic recession. Although the country spent two months with declining GDP, it was not until the Wall Street Crash in October 1929 that the effects of a declining economy were felt, and a major worldwide economic downturn ensued. The stock market crash marked the beginning of a decade of high unemployment, poverty, low profits, deflation, plunging farm incomes, and lost opportunities for economic growth as well as for personal advancement. Altogether, there was a general loss of confidence in the economic future.
Latinas and World War II
In the aftermath of World War I, countries of Europe were left in debt from the war, inflation started to rise, and the United States suffered from a Great Depression. The political and social changes around the world proved volatile. The United States opposed the fascist regimes that were gaining ground around the world, but it was not until December 1941 that the U.S. entered into the War after the December 7 attacks on Pearl Harbor incited public support and Congress declared war on Japan on December 8, 1941. This began U.S. involvement in World War II and set the stage for Latina involvement as well.