The Great Depression was an economic shutdown that began in 1929 to 1939 which was caused by The Stock Market Crash of 1929. This situation that lasted roughly around 10 years left many people in situations of poverty, job loss and entirely hurt the United State's economy.  

The Great Depression had a major intefernce with the Harelm Renaissance as it started to create an incline of division and discrimination towards Negros being, the first option to be hired and last to be hired. Further along with the job loss, a considerable amount of African American-owned businesses were destroyed, which led to less publications and less financial support for theatrical organizations, patterns and foundations, creating less popularity within the Renaissance era.

During The Great Depression there was a 16 year old black boy named Lino Rivera that was accused of stealing a 10¢ knife. People then later thought that Lino Rivera was killed, armed bands of African Americans and whites, were assaulting every person of the opposite color to cross their paths. This became known as the worst race riot in Harlem in 25 years. Consequently, this riot became the finalization end of the Harlem Renaissance  ​​​​​​​