U.S. Financial/Economic Collapse: September 2008

The following sites provide information that help explain the complex issues behind the U.S. Financial/Economic Collapse of September 2008. Videos, newspaper articles, and definitions of key terms are included.

Grades

Links

Explore the U.S. Financial Crisis that began in 2007, specifically the background, financial markets impacted, effects on the global economy, responses to the financial crisis, media response to the crisis, stabilization attempts, and predictions for a second wave of the crisis.

SayItVisually breaks down the financial crisis visually to explain the financial crisis of 2008. NOTE: This site includes a discussion board. (forum, message board, etc.)

PBS' FRONTLINE explores the U.S. Financial Crisis of September 2008 in this film, which includes interviews, a timeline, analysis, extra video, and an opportunity to join the discussion. Corresponding teaching materials are provided: discussion questions, introductory activity, lesson plan, and additional lesson ideas. NOTE: This site has a discussion board. (forums, message boards,etc.)

Watch as the heads of the surviving Wall Street investment banks testify before the Financial Crisis Inquiry Commission regarding the causes of the 2008 financial collapse. (Total Running Time: 3:23 — transcript available).

Delve into the causes of the Subprime Mortgage Crisis and learn how it led to the 2008 financial collapse. NOTE: This site includes ads. NOTE: This site links to a discussion board. (forum, message board, etc.)

Explore Bloomberg's time line chronicling the major events of the 2008 Financial Collapse. NOTE: This site includes ads.

Watch as Jonathan Mann explains the Subprime Mortgage Crisis in simplified terms. (Total Running Time: 7:45) NOTE: This site includes a discussion board. (forum, message board, etc.)

This NY Times articles explains the origins and purpose of the Glass-Steagall Act (1933). NOTE: This site includes ads.

Trace the chronology of the Glass-Steagall Act from its passage in 1933 to its repeal in 1999. NOTE: This site links to a discussion board. (forum, message board, etc.)

This article explores the idea that certain companies in the U.S. are simply too big to be allowed to fail without it having a irrevocable impact on the U.S. and global economies. NOTE: This site includes ads.

Learn to differentiate between systemic and systematic risk in the financial world. NOTE: This site includes ads.

This public document from the Senate Banking Committee summarizes the Dodd-Frank financial reform act.

Explore the history of the central bank, its activities and responsibilities, goals of monetary policy, policy instruments, and more.

Explore the structure the Federal Reserve System. Learn more about the Board of Governors, Open Market, Reserve Banks, and the Board of Directors.

Learn the difference between the bond and stock markets. What is their common history and why did they split? NOTE: This site includes ads.

Learn what the globally accepted definition is for recession and explore some of its causes and effects. NOTE: This site includes ads. NOTE: This site includes a discussion board. (forum, message board,etc.)

Explore the definition of an economic. NOTE: this site includes ads.

Learn the definition of a derivative and gain an understanding of how and why they are import in finance. NOTE: This site includes ads.

Learn more about who credit rating agencies are and why they are important to the economy? NOTE: This site includes ads.