The Great Depression document summarizes the economic crisis that began in 1929. It describes how President Hoover did not recognize the severity of the Depression and failed to provide relief as people lost their jobs. In contrast, President Roosevelt created the New Deal program to help the unemployed and their families. While some economies started recovering by the mid-1930s, others lasted until World War II began in the 1940s. The Depression led to a law requiring future presidents to take steps to prevent another such economic downturn.