Originally aired live in March, we are re-running the four-part lecture series presented at George Washington University by Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke. Today we will begin with part one of the series, "Origins and Mission of the Federal Reserve".
In March 2012, Chairman Ben S. Bernanke delivered a four-part lecture series about the Federal Reserve and the financial crisis that emerged in 2007. The series began with a lecture on the origins and missions of central banks, followed by a lecture that discussed the role and actions of the Federal Reserve in the period after World War II. In the final two lectures, the Chairman reviewed some of the causes of, and policy responses to, the recent financial crisis, focusing specifically on the actions of the Federal Reserve.
The lectures were offered as part of an undergraduate course at the George Washington University School of Business. On-demand video, transcripts, and presentation slides are available for each lecture.
Lecture 1: Origins and Mission of the Federal Reserve
Lecture 2: The Federal Reserve after World War I
Lecture 3: The Federal Reserve's Response to the Financial Crisis
Lecture 4: The Aftermath of the Crisis
In the first lecture, the Chairman explains what central banks do, the origin of central banking in the United States, and the early experience of the Federal Reserve in dealing with a serious financial crisis: the Great Depression.
Lecture Materials - Origins and Mission of the Federal Reserve presentation (PDF)
Look for Part 2 in the series, The Federal Reserve After World War I, next week
Written and Published by: VanEd
