Banking and Finance

This informative video uses an extended analogy of a car to explain the complex functions of the Federal Reserve and its role in the United States economy. It demystifies how the "Fed" acts as the central bank, regulating the money supply and clearing financial transactions to keep the economic "engine" running smoothly. The narration breaks down how the Federal Reserve monitors economic health through key indicators like inflation, GDP, and unemployment data. The core of the video focuses on Monetary Policy, detailing the three specific tools the Federal Reserve uses to steer the economy: reserve requirements, the discount rate, and open market operations. Through clear visual flowcharts, the video demonstrates the cause-and-effect relationship between these tools and the broader economy, explaining how the Fed decides whether to "hit the gas" (stimulate growth) or "pump the brakes" (slow down inflation). Ideally suited for high school economics and civics curricula, this video transforms abstract financial concepts into concrete, relatable examples. Teachers can use it to scaffold lessons on government intervention, financial literacy, and macroeconomics. It provides a solid foundation for understanding how central banking decisions impact everyday life, from interest rates on car loans to the price of goods at the store.

This educational video from Crash Course European History explores the tumultuous first two decades of the 21st century in Europe. Host John Green contrasts the initial optimism of the new millennium—characterized by EU expansion and technological innovation—with the series of economic and social shocks that followed. The narrative covers the global impact of financial crises starting in the 1990s, the Great Recession of 2008, and how economic instability fueled social unrest and identity politics across the continent. The video provides a critical examination of the rise of populism and authoritarianism in modern Europe, specifically profiling Vladimir Putin in Russia and Viktor Orbán in Hungary. It connects these political shifts to the refugee crisis triggered by the Syrian Civil War and the subsequent rise in xenophobia and nationalism, culminating in the Brexit vote. The content also highlights cultural shifts, discussing how globalization and migration have diversified European society, influencing everything from sports to literature. For educators, this resource serves as a vital tool for connecting contemporary current events with historical trends. It helps students understand complex concepts like "illiberal democracy," the domino effects of global economics, and the distinction between patriotism and nationalism. By presenting modern history through both macro-economic lenses and individual human stories (via Nobel Prize winner Svetlana Alexievich), the video encourages students to analyze how systemic shocks influence human behavior and political systems.

In this installment of Crash Course US History, John Green explores the Progressive Era through the lens of three key presidents: Theodore Roosevelt, William Howard Taft, and Woodrow Wilson. The video examines how the role of the federal government expanded significantly during the early 20th century, moving away from laissez-faire economics toward active regulation of big business and protection of social welfare. It contrasts the differing political philosophies of the time, such as Roosevelt's "New Nationalism" versus Wilson's "New Freedom," while highlighting the chaotic four-way election of 1912. The video delves deeply into the foreign policies of these presidents, challenging the notion that Progressivism was solely a domestic movement. It details the "Big Stick" diplomacy of Roosevelt, the "Dollar Diplomacy" of Taft, and the "Moral Diplomacy" of Wilson, showing how each led to increased U.S. intervention in Latin America and the Caribbean. Specific historical events like the construction of the Panama Canal, the occupation of Veracruz, and the pursuit of Pancho Villa are used to illustrate the contradictions between American ideals of freedom and its imperialistic actions abroad. This resource is highly valuable for high school history classrooms, particularly AP US History, as it synthesizes complex political and economic concepts into an engaging narrative. It provides concrete examples of federal legislation (like the Clayton Antitrust Act and the Federal Reserve Act) and constitutional amendments (16th, 17th, 18th, 19th) that reshaped American society. Teachers can use this video to spark discussions on the definition of the "modern presidency," the balance between liberty and government control, and the historical roots of American foreign policy.

This educational video explores the concept of the "unfinished revolution" in American history, arguing that the principles embedded in the Declaration of Independence created a framework for continuous social and political change. The narrator, Caroline, guides viewers through three major historical movements—the abolition of slavery, the labor movement, and the civil rights movement—demonstrating how each utilized the Declaration's ideals to challenge the status quo and expand democratic rights.

This educational video provides a comprehensive introduction to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), a critical economic indicator used to measure inflation. The host breaks down complex economic concepts into digestible segments, starting with a definition of inflation and moving into the specific mechanics of how the CPI is calculated using a theoretical "basket of goods." The video uses clear visuals and relatable examples to explain how economists track price changes across over 200 categories of goods and services, from housing and healthcare to food and transportation. The content goes beyond simple definitions to critically analyze the limitations of the CPI. It discusses nuances such as quality improvements in products, the introduction of new goods, income inequality, and the relationship between price hikes and wage growth. The narrator explains why CPI might not perfectly reflect an individual's personal cost of living and how different demographics experience inflation differently. This critical lens encourages students to look at economic statistics as useful but imperfect tools that need context. Finally, the video connects these macroeconomic concepts to personal finance and government policy. It explains how understanding CPI affects individual budgeting, career choices, and long-term planning like saving for college. It also touches on how governments use this data to enact policies like interest rate adjustments. This makes the video highly applicable for high school Economics, Civics, and Financial Literacy classrooms, bridging the gap between abstract economic theory and real-world decision-making.

This educational video explores the dramatic economic and social shifts in the United States during the 1950s that led to the rise of a massive consumer economy. It details how post-war government policies, technological innovations, and the expansion of credit transformed American life, creating a booming middle class. The narrator explains the economic cycle where higher wages and union membership fueled spending, which in turn created more jobs, establishing a self-sustaining loop of prosperity for many Americans.

This video provides a balanced and accessible examination of the economic policies of the 1980s under President Ronald Reagan, often referred to as "Reaganomics" or "Trickle-Down Economics." It explores the transition from the economic stagnation of the 1970s to the consumer boom of the 80s, breaking down complex concepts like deregulation, tax cuts, and international trade. Through fictional case studies of businesses and workers, the narrative illustrates how these policies aimed to stimulate growth by reducing burdens on corporations and wealthy individuals, with the theory that prosperity would "trickle down" to the average American.

This educational video provides a comprehensive historical analysis of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from its decolonization in 1960 through the devastating conflicts known as "Africa's World War." Hosted by John Green, the video explores the structural challenges left by Belgian colonialism, the rise of the dictator Mobutu Sese Seko, and the complex geopolitical web that led to the First and Second Congo Wars. It specifically connects the Rwandan Genocide to the destabilization of the Congo, illustrating how regional ethnic tensions and refugee crises sparked continent-wide warfare. The content delves into key themes such as the "resource curse," examining how the Congo's vast mineral wealth (gold, diamonds, coltan) has paradoxically fueled violence and corruption rather than prosperity. It also analyzes the concepts of kleptocracy and clientelism under Mobutu, the impact of Cold War politics on African leadership, and the shifting dynamics of international intervention, ranging from Western financial institutions like the IMF to recent infrastructure deals with China. For educators, this resource is invaluable for teaching modern World History, African Studies, and Geopolitics. It helps students move beyond stereotypes of "backwardness" to understand the specific historical, economic, and political drivers of instability in Central Africa. The video provides a rigorous framework for discussing difficult topics like genocide, neo-colonialism, and the ethics of global supply chains, making it highly relevant for high school and undergraduate classrooms dealing with post-colonial history and international relations.

In this installment of Crash Course US History, John Green explores the complex legacy of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal. The video breaks down the massive set of government programs initiated during the Great Depression into two conceptual frameworks: the "Three Rs" (Relief, Recovery, and Reform) and the chronological division between the First and Second New Deals. It examines how these programs fundamentally shifted the relationship between the American citizenry and the federal government, moving from a laissez-faire approach to one where economic security became a guaranteed liberty.

This episode of Crash Course European History explores the tumultuous period following the 1929 US stock market crash, illustrating how economic disaster rippled across the Atlantic to destabilize Europe. Host John Green explains the direct correlation between the Great Depression and the rise of authoritarian regimes, specifically focusing on the ascendance of Adolf Hitler in Germany and the consolidation of power by Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union. The video details how economic desperation creates fertile ground for extremist ideologies that promise stability and national rejuvenation at the cost of liberty and human rights. Key themes include the fragility of democracy during economic crises, the mechanics of totalitarian control, and the sociological concept of "negative integration"—unifying a group by defining and demonizing a common enemy. The video contrasts the methods of fascism and communism while highlighting their shared reliance on terror, propaganda, and state violence. It covers significant historical events such as the Holodomor (famine in Ukraine), the Great Purge, the Night of the Long Knives, the Nuremberg Laws, and the Spanish Civil War. For educators, this video serves as a powerful tool to teach the interwar period. It moves beyond dates and battles to examine the social and psychological factors that allowed dictators to gain popular support. By connecting the US economy to European politics and highlighting the global spread of authoritarianism (including Japan and Spain), it helps students understand the interconnected nature of modern history. It provides a nuanced look at how ordinary citizens can become complicit in atrocity through propaganda and the gradual erosion of moral norms.

This educational video investigates the causes and far-reaching effects of the Great Recession of the late 2000s. Adopting the persona of a lead investigator, the narrator guides students through a "case study" of the U.S. economy, tracing the disaster from the deregulation of the banking industry and the subprime mortgage boom to the collapse of the housing bubble. It simplifies complex financial concepts like mortgage-backed securities and credit freezes, explaining how a crisis in the housing market infected the entire global financial system.

Join an exciting virtual field trip to the Valley of the Kings to explore the New Kingdom of Ancient Egypt, a period known as the civilization's "Golden Age." This video guides students through the rise of the empire following the expulsion of the Hyksos, detailing the military innovations and political strategies that allowed Egypt to expand its territory from Nubia to Western Asia. It introduces key historical figures including Ahmose, the religious reformer Akhenaten, the famous "boy king" Tutankhamun, and the powerful female pharaoh Hatshepsut. The content delves into the significant advancements of the era across political, economic, and cultural domains. Students will learn about the centralization of power by pharaohs, the development of a complex bureaucracy for food storage, and the introduction of standardized measurements and banking systems that facilitated international trade. The video also highlights the shift in religious practices, the artistic evolution towards more realistic depictions, and the monumental architecture designed to project power and longevity. This resource is an excellent tool for middle school social studies and world history classrooms. It uses engaging visuals of tombs, artifacts, and maps to make ancient history tangible. Teachers can use this video to discuss themes of imperialism, religious conflict, economic standardization, and the lasting legacy of ancient civilizations on the modern world, making it a versatile asset for units on the Ancient Near East.