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 protectionist measure. It raised U.S. tariffs on thousands of imported goods. This led to retaliatory tariffs from other countries. International trade plummeted as a result. A decline in trade is a key aspect of an international economic crisis. The stock market crash was a domestic event (though it had international implications). Dropping interest rates is a monetary policy response (not a cause of the crisis in this context). European governments ending the gold standard was a later response to the crisis.

Answer:

Congress passed the Smoot - Hawley tariff.