What economic condition prompted the United States to implement the Hawley-Smoot Tariff?

The Hawley-Smoot Tariff, enacted in 1930, was directly influenced by the onset of the Great Depression. As the economic downturn began to take hold, there was significant pressure on the federal government to protect American jobs and businesses. The tariff aimed to raise import duties on foreign goods, making them more expensive and thus reducing competition for American producers. The belief was that by limiting imports, domestic industries would be buoyed and able to recover from the economic struggles of the time.

Implementing the Hawley-Smoot Tariff was part of a broader trend during the Great Depression where nations sought to protect their economies through trade barriers. Unfortunately, this approach led to retaliation from other countries and further deepened the economic crisis globally. The context of rising unemployment and bank failures highlighted the desperation of the domestic economy, which ultimately characterized the period of the Great Depression.

The other economic conditions listed—such as an economic boom, post-World War I recovery, and the Roaring Twenties—do not account for the protective measures taken during a time when the economy was collapsing. Therefore, the Great Depression is the crucial context that prompted the tariff's implementation.