The document discusses the stock market crash of 1929 known as the Wall Street crash, which saw $14 billion lost on Black Tuesday leading to 30 billion lost overall. This crash led to high unemployment rates of 25% along with 25% of people taking wage cuts. As a result, there were bread lines in New York City where 50% of people had no adequate means of support. Prices during this time were either too high or zero. People made makeshift housing such as in the Great Lawn of Central Park or Hooverville. Additionally, migrants went west seeking work.