The Great Depression: A Monetarist Perspective
Abstract This blog post examines the Great Depression through the lens of monetarist economic theory, primarily associated with Milton Friedman and Anna Schwartz. Using a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative data analysis and qualitative historical research, the study explores how changes in the money supply influenced both the onset and the resolution of the Depression. The analysis draws on primary sources such as economic data and policymaker memoirs, as well as secondary scholarly works. The findings suggest that monetary contraction played a crucial role in triggering and deepening the Depression, while monetary expansion was key to the recovery. This monetarist perspective offers valuable insights into the mechanisms of severe economic downturns and the importance of appropriate monetary policy. Introduction The Great Depression, which commenced in 1929 and persisted until the late 1930s, stands as one of the most profound and far-reaching economic catastrophes in modern