The Great Depression was a severe economic downturn that began in 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s. The term 'Great Depression' is often used to refer to the period of economic decline in the United States, but it also affected many other countries around the world. The cause of the Great Depression is still debated today, but it is generally accepted that a combination of factors such as overproduction, stock market speculation, and the unequal distribution of wealth all contributed to the crisis. The solution to the crossword puzzle for the term 'Great Depressions' is 'CANYONS', which refers to the deep valleys created by the economic downturn.