The , triggered by the and , was the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression. It led to massive , foreclosures, and a decline in , severely impacting low and middle-income households.
Obama's administration responded with economic stimulus packages and financial reforms like the . While these measures helped stabilize the economy, the recovery was slow. The saved jobs, but widened and shifted towards part-time and temporary work.
The Great Recession
Causes and consequences of Great Recession
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Loose lending practices and low interest rates enabled more people to buy homes, even those with poor credit (subprime borrowers)
Widespread use of mortgage-backed securities and derivatives spread the risk of subprime mortgages throughout the financial system
Excessive risk-taking by financial institutions fueled by a belief that housing prices would continue to rise indefinitely
Lack of proper regulation and oversight of the financial sector allowed risky practices to go unchecked (credit default swaps)
Consequences of the Great Recession
Severe economic downturn and contraction of GDP, the worst since the Great Depression
Significant job losses and high
Over 8 million jobs lost between 2007 and 2009, leaving many struggling to find work
Decline in housing prices and wealth
Homeowners faced foreclosures and negative equity, meaning they owed more on their mortgages than their homes were worth
Increased poverty and , as the effects of the recession were felt most severely by low and middle-income households
Reduced consumer spending and confidence, as people lost jobs, homes, and savings, leading to a further slowdown in the economy
Effectiveness of Obama's economic policies
and of 2009
Provided tax rebates, extended unemployment benefits, and increased government spending to stimulate the economy
Aimed to boost consumer spending and create jobs, helping to prevent an even deeper recession
Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (2010)
Increased regulation and oversight of the financial sector to prevent future crises
Created the (CFPB) to protect consumers from predatory lending practices
Introduced the to limit speculative investments by banks, reducing the risk of another financial meltdown
Established the to monitor systemic risks and coordinate regulatory efforts
Effectiveness of the stimulus package and financial reforms
Helped prevent a deeper recession and stabilize the economy, although the recovery was slower than many hoped
Gradual recovery in and job creation, but it took years for employment to return to pre-recession levels
Criticized for not doing enough to address the underlying structural issues, such as income inequality and the decline of the middle class
Some argue that the reforms did not go far enough in preventing future financial crises, as banks remain "too big to fail"
The Auto Industry and Economic Recovery
Impact of auto industry bailout
Auto industry crisis during the Great Recession
Declining sales and financial losses for major U.S. automakers (GM, Chrysler, and Ford) threatened their survival
GM and Chrysler faced potential bankruptcy, which would have had devastating effects on the economy
Auto industry bailout (2008-2009)
U.S. government provided loans and financial assistance to GM and Chrysler
Totaling approximately $80 billion in taxpayer funds
Required restructuring and cost-cutting measures, such as renegotiating labor contracts and closing underperforming factories
Impact of the auto industry bailout
Prevented the collapse of GM and Chrysler, two of the largest employers in the U.S.
Saved an estimated 1.5 million jobs in the auto industry and related sectors (parts suppliers)
Helped stabilize the economy in regions heavily dependent on the auto industry (Michigan)
Controversial due to the use of taxpayer funds and perceived government intervention in private business, but ultimately successful in preventing a deeper economic crisis
Long-term effects on economy and society
Income inequality
Widening gap between the rich and the poor, as the benefits of the recovery were not evenly distributed
Top 1% of earners captured a larger share of income growth during the recovery, while the middle class struggled
Stagnant wages for middle and lower-income households, even as corporate profits and executive compensation soared
Employment
Slow recovery in job growth and persistent underemployment, as many people could only find part-time or temporary work
Shift towards part-time and temporary jobs, as employers sought to reduce costs and increase flexibility
Structural changes in the labor market, such as automation and globalization, reduced the number of well-paying manufacturing jobs
Consumer behavior
Increased savings and reduced spending, as households focused on paying down debt and rebuilding wealth lost during the recession
Households focused on paying down debt and rebuilding wealth, leading to a slower recovery in consumer spending
Shift in consumer preferences towards value-oriented and discount retailers (Walmart), as people sought to stretch their limited incomes
Growth of the sharing economy and online shopping, as consumers sought more affordable and convenient alternatives to traditional retail