What was the unemployment rate in the U.S. during the Great Depression when FDR was implementing the New Deal?

The unemployment rate during the Great Depression, particularly as Franklin D. Roosevelt implemented the New Deal in the 1930s, reached staggering levels, with estimates indicating it peaked around 25%. This period saw massive economic upheaval, with millions of Americans out of work due to the collapse of the banking system, severe declines in industrial production, and widespread poverty.

Roosevelt's New Deal aimed to address these issues through various programs and reforms focused on economic recovery, job creation, and social welfare. Initiatives such as the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) were critical in providing jobs and supporting the economy. The figure of 25% is often cited as a key statistic reflecting the extreme challenges faced by the U.S. economy during this time, notably highlighting how the impact of the Great Depression led to unprecedented levels of unemployment.

In contrast, the other options represent significantly lower unemployment rates that did not accurately reflect the severity of the crisis during that era.