The Great Depression is an event in our nation's history that dramatically changed the lives of the American people in the 1930s and beyond. After a decade of excess, prosperity, and happiness, the Depression plunged our nation into a spiral of decline unlike any we had ever seen. Hints of these difficult times were felt again more recently as our country struggled with the Great Recession. A number of similarities and differences between the depression of the 1930s and the recession of the late 2000s are noteworthy. The Great Depression significantly altered the social fabric of America in the 1930s. With unemployment peaking at 25% in 1933 (Beyer), much of our country's population was struggling to support themselves and their families. family. As a result, crime rates have skyrocketed. With many women unemployed, prostitution was on the rise. Suicide rates have increased dramatically. Alcoholism became rampant and many people abandoned the use of expensive cigars in favor of cheaper, but less safe, cigarettes. College enrollment fell dramatically, and many schools closed their doors entirely. Changes in wealth, education, employment rates, crime, and regional values ​​dramatically altered the social fabric of our country in the 1930s and beyond. The economic and social climates of the 1920s and 1930s were radically different in many ways. In 1920, the average net income was $3,269.40 (IRS 1920). In 1934, the average net income was $3,125.42 (IRS 1924). A difference of $143.98 may not seem like much, but it was quite significant at the time. Adding to this difference is the fact that unemployment rates in the 1930s were considerably higher than in the 1920s. In the 1930s, the boom and mass production of consumer paper had never been seen. We have experienced these difficult times more recently as our country struggles with the Great Recession. We can learn from the similarities and differences between the depression of the 1930s and the recession of the late 2000s so that we can mitigate devastating economic downturns in the future. Works Cited Beyer, Lisa. “OUT AND NOW: THERE IS WORK TO BE DONE.” Workforce Management 91.7 (2012): 29. ProQuest. Internet. June 8, 2014. “REVENUE STATISTICS FOR 1920.” The Bulletin of the National Tax Association 8.9 (1923): 2. IRS. Government of the United States of America. Internet. June 8, 2014. “INCOME STATISTICS FOR 1934.” The Bulletin of the National Tax Association 8.2 (1936): 5. IRS. Government of the United States of America. Internet. June 8, 2014. Johnson, Eddie B. “Bill Will Restore Trust in System.” Roll call May 10, 2010. ProQuest. Internet. June 8 2014 .