| YEAR | PRICE INDEX | REAL INTEREST RATE % |
|---|---|---|
| 1930 | 12.60 | 7.87 |
| 1931 | 11.34 | 14.04 |
| 1932 | 10.05 | 15.92 |
| 1933 | 9.78 | 4.54 |
Correspondingly, what were interest rates in the Great Depression?
In the initial stages of the great depression, begin ning in late 1929, interest rates declined. From a level of 6.25 per cent in the fall of 1929, commercial paper yields dropped to 2.00 per cent in the summer and early fall of 1931.
Also, what was the unemployment rate in 1930? U.S. Unemployment Rates by Year
| Year | Unemployment Rate (as of Dec.) | GDP Growth |
|---|---|---|
| 1929 | 3.2% | NA |
| 1930 | 8.7% | -8.5% |
| 1931 | 15.9% | -6.4% |
| 1932 | 23.6% | -12.9% |
Simply so, how did low interest rates cause the Great Depression?
The Great Depression was 100% caused by the Federal Reserve. The Great Depression is blamed on "greedy speculators". With artificially low interest rates, it made sense to borrow and buy assets. If interest rates are 2% and inflation is 10%, then borrowing to invest is sensible.
What was the interest rate in 1920?
In response to post–World War I inflation the Federal Reserve Bank of New York began raising interest rates sharply. In December 1919 the rate was raised from 4.75% to 5%. A month later it was raised to 6%, and in June 1920 it was raised to 7% (the highest interest rates of any period except the 1970s and early 1980s).