Economic History

Explore the history of bankruptcy laws in the United States from colonial America to present day, highlighting key milestones and shifts in societal values.

The rise of credit-driven consumerism in post-war America led to increased consumption patterns, rising debt levels, and widening income inequality.

Learn about the transition from the gold standard to fiat currency, a shift that impacted exchange rates and monetary policy.

Explore how the late 19th and early 20th centuries saw a shift towards central banking and deposit concentration in most advanced economies.

Explore how savings banks transformed finance in Britain and Germany by increasing deposits, assets, and access to credit for working-class households.

Explore the Victorian British monetary system's limitations under the gold standard, its impact on economy growth, and the emergence of joint-stock banking.

Explore the development of monetary policy in 19th century Britain through the lens of the Bank Charter Act and its impact on regulating banknote circulation.

Explore the history of the Bank of England's development from its early days as a private company to its current role in shaping monetary policy.

Learn about the evolution of modern banking systems, from 18th century innovations to industrialization and urbanization.

Explore the history of financial development and its complex relationship with industrial growth in 17th century Europe.

Explore the causes and consequences of the Bank Run of 1834, a critical event in English financial history highlighting the dangers of unchecked lending and the importance of liquidity.

Explore the evolution of monetary theory from traditional gold standards to modern fiat currency regimes and understand how innovations like fractional reserve banking and central bank control have shaped the global economy.

The Swedish Riksbank pioneered fractional reserve banking in 1656, combining commercial payment services with lending to drive economic growth.

Learn about the emergence of central banks in Northern Europe, their impact on trade and commerce, and how they influenced monetary policy.

The Medici bank's dominance over Florence was marked by controversy and eventual downfall due to financial acumen, strategic alliances, internal conflicts, and external challenges.

The rise of the Medici family from 15th-century Florence's outcast banking dynasty to revered patrons of art and finance.

Explore the history of the Medici family's rise to power through their innovative approach to banking, combining meticulous bookkeeping with diversification and decentralization.

The Medici banking empire rose to power in 15th-century Italy through innovative use of bills of exchange, a system that allowed merchants to transfer value without physical currency.

Discover how Giovanni di Bicci de' Medici built a banking empire that dominated European finance from the 15th century onwards.

The 14th century saw the rise and fall of medieval finance, with moneylenders like Bardi and Peruzzi dominating Italian commerce before facing defaults and collapse.