There have been many recessions in the American economy, but one stands out from the rest. The term depression refers to a severe long-term recession in economic activity. The Great Depression is, without a doubt, the longest and most severe in American history. If sustained over a long period of time, it is not surprising that people affected by an economic depression may begin to feel emotionally depressed. The Great Depression lasted more than a decade, with countless people losing their jobs, homes, and property; you could say that the Great Depression was, in fact, depressing. After a period of great economic prosperity, life in America took a turn for the worse. Jobs and homes were lost, life savings vanished, and Americans began to struggle to survive. The Great Depression marks an era plagued by poverty, unemployment, hunger, and desperation. After World War I, the United States entered a period of great economic strength. This prosperity lasted throughout the decade, known as the “Roaring Twenties,” characterized by massive cultural change. Known for flappers and alcohol, the 1920s marked a decade of indulgence. There was a moral decline in America, with women wearing shorter hair and shorter skirts. Wild drinking and wild partying, swing and jazz music were all the rage. The ban on alcohol has led to the rise of bootleggers and gangsters, causing the crime rate to soar. Hollywood was booming, with the rise of popular culture, movie stars, and celebrities. The automobile became accessible, quickly replacing the horse and buggy as the primary means of transportation. With the economy booming and the middle class growing, America seemed to have a bright future on the horizon. That all changed on October 24th... halfway through the paper... which seemed to make the Great Depression even more depressing. Despite these horrible times, Americans have tried to escape reality. If they could scrape together enough money, they would go to the movies or a dime show and listen to music on the radio. Responding effectively to the problems of the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt's administration introduced positive changes in the role of government. The New Deal addressed the areas of political diplomacy, economic infrastructure, industry, and social welfare. As modern Americans there is much to learn from the Great Depression, and undoubtedly the problems and hardships that marked the decade of the 1930s helped transform America into the nation it is today. Poverty, desperation and homelessness characterized the American nation during the Great Depression, a truly depressing time..