Question

which action most contributed to an international economic crisis during the early years of the great depression?
(1 point)
○ congress passed the smoot - hawley tariff.
○ the united states stock market lost a great deal of its value.
○ the federal reserve sharply dropped interest rates.
○ european governments ended the use of the gold standard.

Explanation:

The Smoot - Hawley tariff was a highly protectionist measure. It raised U.S. tariffs on thousands of imported goods. Other countries retaliated with their own tariffs. This led to a significant decline in international trade. Reduced trade is a major factor in an international economic crisis as it affects production, employment, and economic growth across countries. The stock market crash was a domestic (U.S.) event that triggered the Great Depression but was not an international action in the same sense as the tariff. The Federal Reserve dropping interest rates was a domestic monetary policy response. European governments ending the gold standard was a later response to the economic crisis rather than a cause of the early - stage international economic crisis.

Answer:

Congress passed the Smoot - Hawley tariff.