The tariff policies that were enacted by Congress amid the Great Depression such as the famous Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act had a very damaging impact on the American economy. These highly protectionist measures closed the American economy off to other economies around the world and retaliatory measures were taken by other countries as well. The goal was to increase domestic production, but instead these tariffs had a damaging effect that many believe deepened the impact of the Great Depression.
