What is Money

Hosted by John Green, this episode of Crash Course World History challenges the traditional economic narrative that money evolved naturally from barter systems to solve logistical problems. Instead, it presents anthropologist David Graeber's theory that complex credit and debt systems existed long before coinage, and that physical money (coins) emerged primarily as a tool for states to fund wars and professional armies.

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 engaging educational video introduces students to the fundamental concepts of economics, breaking down a complex subject into digestible components. Hosted by a lively presenter named Kylie, the video moves beyond the complicated dictionary definition of economics to focus on three core pillars: resources, production, and money. It uses relatable examples, including digital marketplaces and everyday items like ice cream and cars, to explain how goods and services are created, distributed, and consumed. Key themes explored include the three types of resources (natural, human, and capital), the distinction between tangible goods and intangible services, and the concept of productivity. The video also covers the history of trade by explaining the barter system versus modern currency, including digital forms of money. Special attention is given to the role of the consumer and the importance of efficiency in business production. For educators, this video serves as an excellent foundational tool for social studies and financial literacy units. It clarifies abstract economic terms through visual aids and concrete examples, making it easy for students to grasp how the economy functions around them. The content naturally leads into classroom activities involving resource identification, mock marketplaces, or discussions about how students earn and spend money in their own lives.

This educational video provides a comprehensive overview of the Ancient Persian Empire, designed for middle school history students. Narrated by an engaging host, the lesson breaks down the empire's vast geography spanning three continents, its efficient government structure utilizing satraps, and its innovative economic systems including the Royal Road and the gold Daric coin. The video uses maps, historical imagery, and on-screen text to make these complex historical structures accessible.

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.

This engaging educational video explores the ancient civilization of Sumer, located in Mesopotamia, and its profound impact on human history. The video breaks down Sumerian society into five key categories of advancement: political, religious, cultural, economic, and technological. It explains how Sumer developed city-states, complex religious systems involving ziggurats and polytheism, the first writing system (cuneiform), and foundational economic practices like banking and trade networks. The content highlights specific inventions that revolutionized the world, such as the wheel, the plow, the sailboat, and a base-60 mathematical system still used for measuring time today. It also delves into the social structure of Sumer, examining the hierarchy from kings and priests down to farmers and enslaved people, as well as gender roles within the society. Designed for middle school history curriculums, this video provides a comprehensive overview of how Sumerian innovations laid the groundwork for future civilizations. It encourages students to recognize the enduring legacy of these ancient advancements in their modern lives, making connections between ancient history and contemporary systems of government, economy, and technology.

This educational video explores the complex and often turbulent history of Europe following the collapse of communism in 1989. Hosted by John Green, the video examines the difficult transition from command economies to capitalism, highlighting the rise of kleptocracies, hyperinflation, and the drastic drop in living standards that plagued many Eastern European nations. It contrasts these economic struggles with the simultaneous efforts toward integration in Western Europe through the formation of the European Union and the expansion of NATO. The content delves into the darker side of this era, specifically the violent breakup of Yugoslavia. It provides a sobering overview of the ethnic conflicts, the Bosnian War, and the Srebrenica massacre, discussing how politicians weaponized ethnic nationalism. The video also covers the creation of the Euro, the Maastricht Treaty, and the tension between national sovereignty and international cooperation. For educators, this video serves as an excellent resource for teaching modern European history, global studies, or economics. It offers a balanced view of globalization, illustrating both its benefits—such as peace and consumer access—and its drawbacks, including loss of local control and cultural homogenization. The "Thought Bubble" segment on fishing regulations provides a concrete case study for classroom debates on the role of government regulation versus individual economic freedom.

This educational video provides a comprehensive introduction to the concept of money, explaining its fundamental role in economics compared to the barter system. Hosted by a presenter who uses relatable examples, the video breaks down why direct trading of goods (barter) becomes inefficient in complex societies and how money solves the "double coincidence of wants" problem. It distinguishes between the abstract concept of money as a system of value and currency as the physical manifestation of that value.

This educational video from Crash Course US History explores the pivotal era known as the Age of Jackson, roughly spanning 1820 to 1850. Host John Green explains how American democracy expanded during this period, moving away from property requirements for voting and ushering in universal white male suffrage. The video details the collapse of the Era of Good Feelings and the subsequent rise of the Second Party System, contrasting the new Democratic Party led by Andrew Jackson with the opposing Whig Party. It provides a nuanced look at Jackson's presidency, covering his controversial use of executive power, the Nullification Crisis, the Bank War, and the Indian Removal Act. Key historical themes explored include the tension between federal and state power, the economic shifts of the Market Revolution, and the growing sectionalism over slavery that foreshadowed the Civil War. The video delves into the specific policies of the American System—tariffs, infrastructure, and the national bank—and how they polarized the nation. It also critically examines the treatment of Native Americans, specifically the forced removal of the Cherokee nation on the Trail of Tears, highlighting the conflict between the executive and judicial branches. For educators, this video serves as an excellent synthesis of complex political and economic concepts essential for understanding 19th-century America. It helps students connect the origins of modern political campaigning and party dynamics to this era. The content is particularly useful for AP US History courses or high school government classes, as it illustrates the practical application of checks and balances (or the failure thereof) and the evolution of the American presidency into a more powerful executive office.

This educational video explores the critical political and economic challenges facing the newly formed United States under the Articles of Confederation during the post-Revolutionary War era. Using an accessible "pizza party" analogy, the narrator explains complex concepts like the weakness of the central government and the difficulty of decision-making among the thirteen states. The video details specific economic hardships including rampant inflation, hyperinflation, and the lack of a unified banking system, helping students understand why the initial government structure was unsustainable. The content dives deep into the consequences of these economic failures, specifically focusing on the plight of Revolutionary War veterans and farmers who faced debt and imprisonment. It provides a clear, step-by-step breakdown of Shays' Rebellion, defining legal terms like "lien" and "foreclosure" to explain the motivations behind the uprising. The narrative effectively connects these historical events to the realization that a stronger national government was necessary, setting the stage for the Constitutional Convention. For educators, this video serves as an excellent bridge between the Revolutionary War and the drafting of the Constitution. The use of modern analogies (ordering pizza for a group) makes abstract political theory concrete for students. It is particularly useful for teaching the causes of the Constitution, basic economic principles like inflation and debt, and the specific historical significance of Shays' Rebellion as a catalyst for political change.

In this installment of Crash Course World History, John Green explores the rise of civilization in Mesopotamia, the 'land between two rivers.' The video examines how the geography of the Tigris and Euphrates valleys shaped the culture, religion, and politics of early city-states like Uruk and Babylon. It breaks down foundational developments including the invention of writing (cuneiform), the creation of early legal systems (Hammurabi's Code), and the evolution of political power from temple priests to kings.

This educational video provides a comprehensive overview of the Mongol conquest of China, tracing the rise of the Mongol Empire from Genghis Khan's initial attacks on the Great Wall to the establishment of the Yuan Dynasty under Kublai Khan. It explores the military strategies used to breach Chinese defenses, the administrative innovations implemented to rule such a vast territory, and the eventual fall of the empire due to rebellion. The narrative highlights how a nomadic warrior culture adapted to govern a sophisticated civilization. Key themes include the synthesis of Mongol and Chinese cultures, the importance of infrastructure like the relay station system, and the revitalization of the Silk Road. The video details how Mongol rule facilitated a "Pax Mongolica" that allowed for unprecedented trade and cultural exchange between East and West, bringing Chinese inventions like paper money and gunpowder to Europe while introducing western goods and ideas to China. It also covers the pre-existing Tang and Song dynasties to provide historical context. For educators, this video serves as an excellent core resource for World History units on Ancient China or the Mongol Empire. It features built-in pause points with inquiry-based questions that encourage students to think critically about military strategy, governance, and the economic impact of global trade networks. The content bridges geography, economics, and history, making it suitable for interdisciplinary lessons on how infrastructure and tolerance can impact the success of an empire.