The Panic of 1819 (book)

For the first major financial crisis in the United States, see Panic of 1819.
The Panic of 1819: Reactions and Policies
Author Murray Rothbard
Country United States
Language English
Subject History
Published 1962

The Panic of 1819: Reactions and Policies is Murray Rothbard's 1962 work about what he calls the first great economic crisis of the United States. The book is based on his doctoral dissertation in economics at Columbia University during the mid-1950s.[1]

Summary

During the 19th century some observers believed that the Panic originated within the economic system itself, since the event could not be readily attributed to any specific event, as had some previous crises. Rothbard, however, states that the Panic of 1819 arose from developments related to the War of 1812 and the postwar prosperity that followed. The outbreak of war stifled foreign trade and spurred the growth of domestic manufacturing, which grew to fill the demand previously met by imports. The government borrowed heavily to finance the war. Rothbard alleges that this led to a credit expansion which in turn led to rising prices. Rothbard's book provides a narrative of these events.[2]

Reception

The book had at least seven reviews which included both praise and criticism.[3]

In a 1990 interview in The Austrian Economics Newsletter Rothbard was asked about the reception to the book and said it was well received, "In fact, much better than any other of my books. Maybe that's because I didn't analyze the causes. I only wrote about how people wanted to cure it."[4]

Full text

Publishing history

Notes

  1. David Gordon. "Murray N. Rothbard". Ludwig von Mises Institute. July 30, 2005.
  2. Christopher Mayer. "Panic of 1819--and 2002". Ludwig von Mises Institute. July 15, 2002.
  3. Casey, Gerard (2010). Meadowcroft, John, ed. Murray Rothbard. Major Conservative and Libertarian Thinkers 15. London: Continuum. pp. pgs. 98–102. ISBN 978-1-4411-4209-2.
  4. "The Science of Liberty: An Interview with Murray N. Rothbard". Ludwig von Mises Institute. Summer 1990.

Further reading

External links

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