1907 Bankers Panic

There are many thoughts about the Federal Reserve, some people think it is the biggest thief ever and some other people think that the Illuminati is running the show. Also some people know that the Federal Reserve has saved the economy of the United States a couple of times from depressions. Moreover, economists think that the Federal Reserve saved the U.S. from the most recent depression in 2008. Many people in the U.S. may not know who Alexander Hamilton is; however, any economist or anybody who is studying economy should know who he was. Alexander Hamilton played a big role in the economy of the United States in 1791, when he started promoting a movement to embrace a central bank. In that same year the first bank of the United States

The credit system of the country had ceased to operate, and thousands of firms went into bankruptcy (Born...,.12). Something had to be done that would provide for a flexible amount of currency as well as provide cohesion between banks across the United States. (Hepburn, 399) This knight in shining armor, as described in the story of the bank run, was the Federal Reserve. The Federal Reserve Act of 1913 helped to establish banks as a united force working for the people instead of independent agencies working against each other. By providing a flexible amount of currency, banks did not have to hoard their money in fear of a bank run. Because of this, there was no competitive edge to see who could keep the most currency on hand and a more expansionary economy was possible.

After the nation’s banks were hit hard by a severe financial panic in 1907, the United States President and Congress decided the nation’s banking system needed reformed and strengthened. Subsequently, in 1910, a small group of bankers and politicians secretly met on Georgia’s Jekyll Island for 10-days and drafted an outline of a new central banking system that would protect the United States economy from future financial crises and provide the platform for America to thrive. This outline, known as the Aldrich Plan named after Senate Republican of Rhode Island, Nelson Aldrich was submitted to congress but was voted down. However, this would later serve as the model for which the Federal Reserve Act was based. The Federal Reserve Act was signed into law on December 23, 1913, by Woodrow Wilson and established the Federal Reserve, or the Fed, as the central bank for United States.

After the Civil War started, another need for a national bank emerged. The government wanted to learn from the mistakes of the first and second banks, so they developed the National Bank in 1869, which was modeled after the free banking system. This system allowed banks to choose between state and national charters. Though the bank was transformed into another bank in 1913, this was the United States first success at a uniform currency. Finally in 1913, the Federal Reserve was established. The architects of the federal reserve learned from the mistakes from the previous banks so that they could make this bank a success. This new federal reserve bank was given control over the nation’s payment system. The federal reserve was broken up into 12 District Banks that operated independently, so that there was not a concentration of power. Though not the original role of the Federal Reserve, today it is best known for the monetary policy. Today the federal reserve is run by the Board of Governors,which are seven members that are appointed by the President and are approved by the Senate. The Federal Reserve is composed of the Board of Governors, and twelve district

In the late 1800s and early 1900s the United States experienced numerous banking panics ultimately leading to a massive crisis in 1907 which would motivate Congress to pass the Federal Reserve Act. President Woodrow Wilson would sign the act in December of 1913 (McBride & Sergie, 2015). The Federal Reserve would mean a centralized banking system for the United States.

The Fed, established in 1913, has several main functions that include: establishing monetary policy, regulating smaller banking institutions, and finding ways to create financial stability. There are several reasons that these responsibilities need to remain out of the hands of politicians. The economic rule that economics and politics do not mix well because of their differing focuses, the differing goals of the two bodies, and the inconsistency of politicians in Congress

After the tragic Stock Market Crash of 1933, America had plunged into a deep depression. Over 9,000 banks nationwide were closing their doors. After the Stock Market Crash, President Herbert Hoover was in office working ceaselessly to fix what was left of the economy. However, his effort did not seem to be enough. In the election of 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt won by a landslide. Roosevelt stated, “This nation asks for action and action now,” and he did just that.(Barbour, 82) He saved countless families from poverty that was spreading like wildfire across the U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is a portion of the New Deal formulated by Franklin D. Roosevelt to help save America from poverty caused by bank failures. “Roosevelt’s New Deal preserved the American democratic capitalist system.” (Schlesinger 137)

After the collapse of the economy in 1929, banks were in crucial conditions. Citizen’s trust faltered as Hoover preached to them empty promises about how things would get better. Franklin Roosevelt’s mission with the New Deal was to recuperate all that was lost during Hoover’s presidency. Within the New Deal was passed the Federal Emergency Banking Act. This act helped produce loans, credit and investment opportunities for the public. The production

Andrew W. Mellon served as secretary of the Treasury from March 4, 1921, to February 12, 1932. Under the provisions of the original Federal Reserve Act, this meant he was also ex-officio chairman of the Federal Reserve Board.

The Federal Reserve System, also called the Federal Reserve or “the Fed,” is the central bank of the United States. The Fed was made by the Congress to support the nation with a better, safer and more stable monetary and financial system. The Federal Reserve was established on December 23, 1913. The president at the time was Woodrow Wilson, who signed the Federal Reserve Act into law. The Federal Reserve System has four main objectives.

In 1781 the first attempt in central banking was undertaken by an act of the Congress of the Confederation, thereby creating the Bank of North America. This bank was given exclusivity in the domain of issuing of national bills and credit. The idea was that this bank run by Robert Morris would act as the monetary agent of the US government which was needed to help deal with the funding of the Revolutionary War. Prior to the ratification of the Articles of Confederation & Perpetual Union in 1781, only the thirteen states had the sovereign power to issue their own bills of credit. Therefore before the ratification it was State Chartered banks that were providing the credit for the war, through the use of continental currency or “continentals.” These continentals were depreciating in value to the point of becoming distressed assets so it was Morris’s assertion that this private “for profit” monopolized commercial bank would be the only viable solution. With the ratification of the Articles of Confederation, congress also gained the power over the issue of bills of credit, so Morris went to work establishing America’s first central bank. It is also important to note that this function was not essential to continuing the war effort as with the defeat of the British in Yorktown in October of 1781 excluding several small skirmishes, the war had already ended. The Bank of North America essentially provided the greatest monetary benefit to the holders of large amounts of

After the Revolutionary War, many of the country’s citizens were in great debit and there was widespread economic disruption. The country was in need of an economic overhaul and the new country’s leaders would need to decide how to do this to ensure the new country did not fall apart. After two unsuccessful attempts at a national banking system, the Federal Reserve System was created by the Federal Reserve Act of 1913. Since its inception, the Federal Reserve System has evolved into a central banking system that grows with the country. The Federal Reserve System provides this country with a central bank that is able to pursue consistent monetary policies. My goal in this paper is to help the reader to understand why the Federal

The Federal Reserve Act was signed into law on December 23, 1913. Due to a series of financial panics around 1907, the Federal Reserve (also referred to as the “Fed”) was created by Congress to promote a stable banking system and an active economy. The Federal Reserves’ greatest client and biggest spender is the government of the United States. All proceeds from taxes generated and disbursements are managed through the account that the United States government has set up with the Federal Reserve. The Fed operates independently of the government; however, the Feds’ jurisdiction originates from Congress and the Fed is subject to congressional supervision. Furthermore The President nominates the members of the Board of Governors which must be confirmed by the Senate. The salaries of the Fed are also set and appointed by the government. Although the Fed can exercise freedom in monetary determinations, the existing relationship with the government invites corruption particularly with the present administration and its champagne socialists.

The Great Depression is undoubtedly one of the most significant events in American and world history. It was the most widespread depression in the 20th century affecting most nations in the world and lasting for as long as a decade. However, there still remain unanswered questions regarding the cause of the great depression. One of the most debated topics regarding the Great Depression continues to be the role of the Federal Reserve (Fed) in causing and prolonging the crisis. The Federal Reserve, the central banking system of the United States, was created on December 23, 1913, with the enactment of the Federal Reserve Act, primarily in response to a series of financial panics in 1907. The Fed had being in existence for 15 years before the

Later in his Presidency, Ronald Reagan would appoint Alan Greenspan to head the Federal Reserve Bank. Greenspan, an economist, had previously sent a letter to government regulators to help convince them of the “soundness” of the savings and loan industry and its need to be de-regulated. He was paid $40,000 by a top executive of the savings and loan industry, Charles Keating, for his work in convincing the regulators to de-regulate the savings and loan industry. After the collapse of the savings and loan industry, many top executives were arrested and sent to prison for looting their companies, Charles Keating was one of the main criminals that were sent to prison. (Ferguson 15:35)