A long and intense drought hit the southern plains in 1845, lasting into the 1860s, which caused a widespread collapse of the bison herds.

A widespread collapse of the Iraqi security forces ensued, with most deserting or defecting to the rebels rather than fighting.

The widespread collapse of the banking system has shut down many businesses and infuriated depositors who have lost their savings.

It is the last refuge of manhood in our time of widespread moral collapse.

But a widespread collapse would usher a depression of a kind that has not been since the 1930s.

Still, networks have generally recovered from this sort of widespread collapse in one fundamental way: they program their way out of it.

Last month, the Government rushed through two laws to prevent a widespread collapse in the banking system.

A necessary condition for a steep fall in demand is a widespread collapse in confidence, as people suddenly become worried about the future.

We regard this as necessary first and foremost because our agricultural policy has led to a widespread collapse of trust amongst the public.

A relatively mild and short-lived recession need not create an unbearable debt problem with widespread corporate or banking collapses.