Barber's On The Origins Of The Great Depression

During the time period of 1929 - 1939, the United States of America struggled with making ends meat. The issues amongst society grew tremendously within that specific ten year period. American Societies increasing epidemic lay upon the decline in wages, lifestyle alterations and the downfall of the American stock market. As stated by Barber in “On the Origins of the Great Depression” he highlights the position of Friedman and Schwartz in “A Monetary History of the United States, 1867-1960” stating, “In this statement, the failure of United States monetary policy is seen as an important factor in increasing the severity and length of the depression but not necessarily as a primary cause.” (Barber). Barbers position is clear that the overall failure in the stock market, led to the continuation of the depression.

Following the issue of wages, was the automatic change in the American way of living. The lifestyle change is discussed in the source that Horowitz talks about in his writings in "A Child's View of the Great Depression”, it is also discussed in Barber’s in "On the Origins of the Great Depression. Continuing that issue, as previously stated, the downfall of the American stock market was the underlying factor in the long process of the Great Depression. This factor is provided by Bordo in his writings of, "Money, Sticky Wages, and the Great Depression”, as well as in Eichengreen’s “Viewpoint: Understanding the Great Depression”. The multiple sources that prove these issues originate from personal experiences or factual evidence of this era. In all, the articles highlight and emphasize the struggle of Americans and Immigrants achieving the “American Dream” during the epic