Which of the following was not considered a contributing factor to the Great Depression?

In the context of the Great Depression, increased consumer spending is not considered a contributing factor to the economic downturn. During the 1920s, prior to the onset of the Great Depression, the U.S. economy was characterized by rising consumer confidence and spending, which fueled economic growth. However, as the depression took hold in the 1930s, consumer spending significantly decreased due to rising unemployment, falling wages, and diminished confidence in the economy.

Conversely, factors like overproduction led to an oversupply of goods, which in turn caused prices to collapse as suppliers attempted to reduce inventory. Falling prices, or deflation, further exacerbated the economic situation as it discouraged spending and investment. Additionally, overextended family credit reflects the unsustainable borrowing practices that many families engaged in during the 1920s, which contributed to financial instability when the economy began to contract. Overall, while increased consumer spending was vital to economic activity during the late 1920s, it did not play a role in causing the Great Depression itself.