Debt Deflation Hypothesis
From Dickinson College Wiki
The Debt-Deflation Theory was described by Irvin Fisher as an interactive process whereby falling commodity prices increased the debt burden of borrowers. In the period of the 1920s there was a widespread use of the home mortgage and credit purchases of durable goods that boosted spending, but increased consumer debt. When a price deflation occurred people who were deeply in debt were in serious trouble because they risked default. In turn, consumers dramatically cut current spending to keep up with their payments, which resulted in lowering the demand for new products.
