Write an essay about The Causes of the Great Depression

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.

God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

The Causes of the Great Depression

The Great Depression, a severe economic downturn that gripped the United States and much of the world in the 1930s, remains one of the most significant events in modern history. Understanding the causes of the Great Depression is crucial to comprehend the complex interplay of factors that led to this catastrophic event.

Introduction

The Great Depression, which began in 1929 and lasted throughout the 1930s, was characterized by widespread unemployment, poverty, and economic hardship. While the stock market crash of 1929 is often cited as the starting point, a combination of underlying factors contributed to the deepening crisis.

Thesis Statement

The Great Depression was caused by a confluence of factors, including the stock market crash, agricultural overproduction, banking failures, international trade disruptions, and government policies, all of which exacerbated economic instability and led to a prolonged period of economic distress.

Stock Market Crash of 1929

The stock market crash of October 1929 is often regarded as the spark that ignited the Great Depression. The sudden and steep decline in stock prices wiped out billions of dollars in wealth, triggering panic selling and massive investor losses. The crash shattered consumer and investor confidence, leading to a sharp contraction in economic activity.

Agricultural Overproduction

During the 1920s, American farmers were producing record harvests due to technological advancements and increased mechanization. However, this led to overproduction and falling crop prices. The agricultural sector suffered from declining revenues, mounting debts, and widespread foreclosures, exacerbating rural poverty and contributing to the overall economic downturn.

Banking Failures and Credit Crunch

Bank failures were rampant during the Great Depression, as depositors rushed to withdraw their savings amidst widespread financial uncertainty. The collapse of numerous banks eroded public trust in the banking system, leading to a credit crunch and a contraction in lending. The lack of access to credit further hampered economic recovery efforts.

International Trade Disruptions

The Great Depression was not confined to the United States but had global repercussions. International trade contracted sharply as countries imposed protectionist measures, tariffs, and retaliatory trade policies. The disruption of global trade flows worsened economic conditions, leading to a downward spiral of reduced exports, unemployment, and economic stagnation worldwide.

Government Policies and Responses

Government policies and responses to the economic crisis played a significant role in exacerbating or ameliorating the effects of the Great Depression. Initially, the hands-off approach taken by policymakers worsened the situation as they failed to intervene effectively. However, initiatives such as the New Deal introduced by President Franklin D. Roosevelt aimed to stimulate economic recovery through relief programs, public works projects, and financial reforms.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Great Depression was a complex and multifaceted economic crisis precipitated by a combination of factors that culminated in widespread suffering and hardship for millions of people. By examining the causes of the Great Depression—ranging from the stock market crash to agricultural challenges, banking failures, trade disruptions, and government responses—we gain insight into the intricate dynamics that underlie economic downturns. The lessons learned from this tumultuous period continue to shape economic policy and decision-making today, serving as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance, regulation, and proactive measures to prevent future economic crises.

 

 

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