Question

the table below shows the unemployment rate in the united states from 1918 through 1921:

year	unemployment rate
1919	1.4
1920	5.2
1921	11.7

which factor explains the trend shown in the table?

• economic competition from europe after world war i
• demobilization of u.s. soldiers after world war i
• a spike in immigration to the united states after world war i
• a sudden decrease in government spending after world war i

Explanation:

The table shows a sharp rise in US unemployment from 1918-1921. After WWI, the U.S. government cut massive military spending that had supported the war effort. This sudden reduction in government demand for goods, services, and labor led to a contraction in the economy, directly driving up unemployment.

• European economic competition was limited post-WWI as Europe's economies were devastated.
• While demobilized soldiers re-entered the workforce, the scale of government spending cuts was the primary driver of the severe 1920-1921 recession.
• Immigration did not spike sharply in this period; in fact, immigration restrictions were implemented around this time.

Answer:

A sudden decrease in government spending after World War I