- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
The Cyclical History of Central Banking in America
A look at how central banks have repeatedly caused boom-and-bust cycles that benefit bankers and politicians at the expense of the public
Jan. 27, 2026 at 11:15pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
This article traces the history of central banking in America, starting with the Bank of North America in 1782 and the First and Second Banks of the United States in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It describes how these early central banks, modeled after the Bank of England, were used by bankers and politicians to create boom-and-bust cycles that enriched the banks and government while ruining the public. The article then discusses the creation of the Federal Reserve in 1913, which continued this pattern of central bank-driven economic instability that has devalued the US dollar by over 97% since then. The author warns readers to be wary of their banks and consider removing assets from the banking system, as history suggests another crash may be imminent.
Why it matters
This historical overview of central banking in America is relevant today as the country faces an economic crisis driven by debt, which the author argues has been intentionally created by the collusion of bankers and politicians through the central banking system. Understanding this cyclical pattern of booms and busts engineered by central banks can help the public recognize the warning signs and protect their assets before the next inevitable crash.
The details
The article traces how central banks like the Bank of North America, the First and Second Banks of the United States, and ultimately the Federal Reserve have repeatedly caused economic crises that benefited bankers and politicians at the expense of the public. It describes how these central banks would first expand the money supply through easy lending, then suddenly contract it, triggering 'panics' or 'depressions' that wiped out many depositors while the banks and their political allies were bailed out. The author cites historical figures like William Gouge and G. Edward Griffin to argue that these booms and busts were not accidents, but the result of a calculated strategy by bankers like the Rothschild family to enrich themselves through their control of the central banking system.
- In 1782, the Bank of North America was opened in America during the infancy of the United States.
- In 1791, Congress approved the charter for the second 'Bank of the United States' despite the recent failure of the Bank of North America.
- In 1819, the second 'Bank of the United States' caused the Panic of 1819, as William Gouge described: 'the bank was saved and the people were ruined.'
- In 1913, the Federal Reserve was created, a more sophisticated central banking system that has operated ever since, causing the US dollar to be devalued by over 97%.
The players
Mayer Rothschild
A 18th century German banker who pioneered the use of central banks to create boom-and-bust cycles that enriched his family's bank while harming the public.
Thomas Jefferson
The Secretary of State under President George Washington who argued strongly against the creation of a second central bank in the US, warning that 'banking institutions are more dangerous than standing armies'.
Alexander Hamilton
The Secretary of the Treasury under President George Washington who led the argument in favor of creating the second central bank in the US, despite the recent failure of the first one.
Andrew Jackson
The US President who risked his re-election in 1832 to successfully campaign against renewing the charter of the Bank of the United States.
G. Edward Griffin
An author who accurately described how central banks, not free market competition, are the cause of economic booms and busts.
What’s next
The article encourages readers to ask themselves questions about the stability of their banks and whether they should remove their assets from the banking system, as history suggests another economic crash may be imminent.
The takeaway
This historical overview of central banking in America reveals a repeating pattern of boom-and-bust cycles engineered by bankers and politicians to enrich themselves at the expense of the public. Understanding this history can help people recognize the warning signs and protect their assets before the next inevitable crash.
Boston top stories
Boston events
Mar. 17, 2026
Boston Fleet vs. Toronto SceptresMar. 17, 2026
Boston University Women's Lacrosse v. Cornell



