What factor contributed to the rise of communist sentiments during the Great Depression?

Widespread anger and unemployment were pivotal factors contributing to the rise of communist sentiments during the Great Depression. As the economic crisis intensified, millions faced job losses, poverty, and a general sense of hopelessness. This environment of desperation created fertile ground for radical political ideologies, including communism, which promised equality and solutions to the socioeconomic disparities being experienced.

Communist movements gained traction by highlighting the failures of capitalist systems to provide for the populace, contrasting sharply with the stark reality of long breadlines and lack of basic necessities. The sense of classes struggling against one another and the belief that a revolution was necessary for change resonated deeply with those suffering under the weight of economic hardship.

While the influence of Hollywood propaganda and support from political leaders played roles in shaping public perception and political discourse, the core driver of communism's appeal was rooted in the immediate, lived experiences of anger and unemployment during this dire economic period. Increased wealth among the public would generally detract from the appeal of communism, as it runs contrary to the movement's principles of redistribution and equity.