Oct 25, 2024
The US National Debt balloons to over $35 Trillion dollars exceeding 100% of GDP and peaking at the highest levels since World War II following Great Recession and COVID bailouts, and period of high deficit level spending.
Significance:
- Interest on Debt exceeds $1 Trillion dollars alone
- Interest payments exceed cost of US Military, move into 3rd largest budget expense
- Period marked by High Inflation
- Looming decisions on higher deficits, more taxes, lower spending, or higher inflation
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Feb 15, 2024
Ongoing event with evolving economic impact, highlighting challenges of balancing public health needs with fiscal sustainability.
Significance
- Massive increased spending for economic stimulus payments, unemployment benefits, healthcare programs.
- Potential future cuts to other programs to offset pandemic costs.
- Individual and business tax relief packages.
- Rapid expansion of Money Supply (Printing Money) followed by high inflationary period
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Feb 15, 2024
Marked the transition to a floating exchange rate system, sparking debates on global monetary order and potential instability.
Significance
- Increased flexibility in managing the money supply and exchange rates.
- Suspended convertibility of the US dollar to gold, effectively ending the Bretton Woods system.
- Moves US to floating exchange Fiat currency system
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Feb 15, 2024
Defined the post-war international monetary system, fostering global economic growth but creating rigidities over time.
Significance
- Limited national autonomy in monetary policy but promoted international trade and financial stability.
- Established fixed exchange rates for major currencies, pegged to the US dollar, which was convertible to gold at $35 per ounce.
- Established US Dollar as the world Reserve Currency
- Established the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
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Feb 15, 2024
Enabled fiscal interventions during the Great Depression but raised concerns about monetary responsibility.
Significance
- Potential for inflation without gold-backed currency.
- Increased government flexibility in managing the money supply and interest rates.
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