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List of recessions in the United States

Updated: Wikipedia source

List of recessions in the United States

There have been as many as 48 recessions in the United States dating back to the Articles of Confederation, and although economists and historians dispute certain 19th-century recessions, the consensus view among economists and historians is that "the [cyclical] volatility of GNP and unemployment was greater before the Great Depression than it has been since the end of World War II." Cycles in the country's agricultural production, industrial production, consumption, business investment, and the health of the banking industry contribute to these declines. U . recessions have increasingly affected economies on a worldwide scale, especially as countries' economies become more intertwined. The unofficial beginning and ending dates of recessions in the United States have been defined by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), an American private nonprofit research organization. The NBER defines a recession as "a significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy, lasting more than two quarters which is 6 months, normally visible in real gross domestic product (GDP), real income, employment, industrial production, and wholesale-retail sales". In the 19th century, recessions frequently coincided with a financial crisis. Determining the occurrence of pre-20th-century recessions is more difficult due to the dearth of economic statistics, so scholars rely on historical accounts of economic activity, such as contemporary newspapers or business ledgers. Although the NBER does not date recessions before 1857, economists customarily extrapolate dates of U . recessions back to 1790 from business annals based on various contemporary descriptions. Their work is aided by historical patterns, in that recessions often follow external shocks to the economic system such as wars and variations in the weather affecting agriculture, as well as banking crises. Major modern economic statistics, such as unemployment and GDP, were not compiled on a regular and standardized basis until after World War II. The average duration of the 11 recessions between 1945 and 2001 is 10 months, compared to 18 months for recessions between 1919 and 1945, and 22 months for recessions from 1854 to 1919. Because of the great changes in the economy over the centuries, it is difficult to compare the severity of modern recessions to early recessions. Before the COVID-19 recession began in March 2020, no post-World War II era had come anywhere near the depth of the Great Depression, which lasted from 1929 until 1941 (which included a bull market between 1933 and 1937) and was caused by the 1929 crash of the stock market and other factors.

Tables

· Early recessions and crises (1785–1836)
Copper Panic of 1789
Copper Panic of 1789
Name → Panic of 1785
Copper Panic of 1789
Dates → 1785–1788
1789–1793
Duration → ~4 years
~4 years
Time since previous recession
~0 years
Characteristics → The panic of 1785, which lasted until 1788, ended the business boom that followed the American Revolution. The causes of the crisis lay in the overexpansion and debts incurred after American independence, a postwar deflation, American manufacturers facing competition from their British counterparts, and lack of adequate credit and a sound currency.
Loss of confidence in copper coins due to debasement and counterfeiting led to commercial freeze up that halted the economy of several northern States and was not alleviated until the introduction of new paper money to restore confidence.
Panic of 1792
Panic of 1792
Name → Panic of 1785
Panic of 1792
Dates → 1785–1788
1792
Duration → ~4 years
~2 months
Time since previous recession
~0 years
Characteristics → The panic of 1785, which lasted until 1788, ended the business boom that followed the American Revolution. The causes of the crisis lay in the overexpansion and debts incurred after American independence, a postwar deflation, American manufacturers facing competition from their British counterparts, and lack of adequate credit and a sound currency.
Its causes included the extension of credit and excessive speculation. The panic was largely solved by providing banks the necessary funds to make open market purchases.
Panic of 1796–1797
Panic of 1796–1797
Name → Panic of 1785
Panic of 1796–1797
Dates → 1785–1788
1796–1799
Duration → ~4 years
~3 years
Time since previous recession
~4 years
Characteristics → The panic of 1785, which lasted until 1788, ended the business boom that followed the American Revolution. The causes of the crisis lay in the overexpansion and debts incurred after American independence, a postwar deflation, American manufacturers facing competition from their British counterparts, and lack of adequate credit and a sound currency.
Just as a land speculation bubble was bursting, deflation from the Bank of England (which was facing insolvency due to the cost of British involvement in the French Revolutionary Wars) crossed to North America and disrupted commercial and real estate markets in the United States and the Caribbean, and caused a major financial panic. Prosperity cont
1802–1804 recession
1802–1804 recession
Name → Panic of 1785
1802–1804 recession
Dates → 1785–1788
1802–1804
Duration → ~4 years
~2 years
Time since previous recession
~3 years
Characteristics → The panic of 1785, which lasted until 1788, ended the business boom that followed the American Revolution. The causes of the crisis lay in the overexpansion and debts incurred after American independence, a postwar deflation, American manufacturers facing competition from their British counterparts, and lack of adequate credit and a sound currency.
A boom of war-time activity led to a decline after the Peace of Amiens ended the war between the United Kingdom and France. Commodity prices fell dramatically. Trade was disrupted by pirates, leading to the First Barbary War.
Depression of 1807
Depression of 1807
Name → Panic of 1785
Depression of 1807
Dates → 1785–1788
1807–1810
Duration → ~4 years
~3 years
Time since previous recession
~3 years
Characteristics → The panic of 1785, which lasted until 1788, ended the business boom that followed the American Revolution. The causes of the crisis lay in the overexpansion and debts incurred after American independence, a postwar deflation, American manufacturers facing competition from their British counterparts, and lack of adequate credit and a sound currency.
The Embargo Act of 1807 was passed by the United States Congress under President Thomas Jefferson as tensions increased with the United Kingdom. The Act severely impacted shipping-related industries in the United States. The Federalists fought the embargo and allowed American merchants to smuggle goods with their British counterparts in New England
1812 recession
1812 recession
Name → Panic of 1785
1812 recession
Dates → 1785–1788
1812
Duration → ~4 years
~6 months
Time since previous recession
~18 months
Characteristics → The panic of 1785, which lasted until 1788, ended the business boom that followed the American Revolution. The causes of the crisis lay in the overexpansion and debts incurred after American independence, a postwar deflation, American manufacturers facing competition from their British counterparts, and lack of adequate credit and a sound currency.
The United States entered a brief recession at the beginning of 1812. The decline was brief primarily because the United States soon increased production to fight the War of 1812, which began June 18, 1812.
1815–1821 depression
1815–1821 depression
Name → Panic of 1785
1815–1821 depression
Dates → 1785–1788
1815–1821
Duration → ~4 years
~6 years
Time since previous recession
~3 years
Characteristics → The panic of 1785, which lasted until 1788, ended the business boom that followed the American Revolution. The causes of the crisis lay in the overexpansion and debts incurred after American independence, a postwar deflation, American manufacturers facing competition from their British counterparts, and lack of adequate credit and a sound currency.
Shortly after the war ended on March 23, 1815, the United States entered a period of financial panic as bank notes rapidly depreciated because of inflation following the war. The 1815 panic was followed by several years of mild depression, and then a major financial crisis – the Panic of 1819, which featured widespread foreclosures, bank failures,
1822–1823 recession
1822–1823 recession
Name → Panic of 1785
1822–1823 recession
Dates → 1785–1788
1822–1823
Duration → ~4 years
~1 year
Time since previous recession
~1 year
Characteristics → The panic of 1785, which lasted until 1788, ended the business boom that followed the American Revolution. The causes of the crisis lay in the overexpansion and debts incurred after American independence, a postwar deflation, American manufacturers facing competition from their British counterparts, and lack of adequate credit and a sound currency.
After only a mild recovery following the lengthy 1815–1821 depression, commodity prices hit a peak in March 1822 and began to fall. Many businesses failed, unemployment rose and an increase in imports worsened the trade balance.
1825–1826 recession
1825–1826 recession
Name → Panic of 1785
1825–1826 recession
Dates → 1785–1788
1825–1826
Duration → ~4 years
~1 year
Time since previous recession
~2 years
Characteristics → The panic of 1785, which lasted until 1788, ended the business boom that followed the American Revolution. The causes of the crisis lay in the overexpansion and debts incurred after American independence, a postwar deflation, American manufacturers facing competition from their British counterparts, and lack of adequate credit and a sound currency.
The Panic of 1825, a stock crash following a bubble of speculative investments in Latin America led to a decline in business activity in the United States and Britain. The recession coincided with a major panic, the date of which may be more easily determined than general cycle changes associated with other recessions.
1828–1829 recession
1828–1829 recession
Name → Panic of 1785
1828–1829 recession
Dates → 1785–1788
1828–1829
Duration → ~4 years
~1 year
Time since previous recession
~2 years
Characteristics → The panic of 1785, which lasted until 1788, ended the business boom that followed the American Revolution. The causes of the crisis lay in the overexpansion and debts incurred after American independence, a postwar deflation, American manufacturers facing competition from their British counterparts, and lack of adequate credit and a sound currency.
In 1826, Britain banned US citizens from trading with British colonies, and in 1827, the United States adopted a counter-prohibition. Trade declined, just as credit became tight for manufacturers in New England.
1833–1834 recession
1833–1834 recession
Name → Panic of 1785
1833–1834 recession
Dates → 1785–1788
1833–1834
Duration → ~4 years
~1 year
Time since previous recession
~4 years
Characteristics → The panic of 1785, which lasted until 1788, ended the business boom that followed the American Revolution. The causes of the crisis lay in the overexpansion and debts incurred after American independence, a postwar deflation, American manufacturers facing competition from their British counterparts, and lack of adequate credit and a sound currency.
The United States' economy declined moderately in 1833–34. News accounts of the time confirm the slowdown. The subsequent expansion was driven by land speculation.
Name
Dates
Duration
Time since previous recession
Characteristics
Panic of 1785
1785–1788
~4 years
The panic of 1785, which lasted until 1788, ended the business boom that followed the American Revolution. The causes of the crisis lay in the overexpansion and debts incurred after American independence, a postwar deflation, American manufacturers facing competition from their British counterparts, and lack of adequate credit and a sound currency.
Copper Panic of 1789
1789–1793
~4 years
~0 years
Loss of confidence in copper coins due to debasement and counterfeiting led to commercial freeze up that halted the economy of several northern States and was not alleviated until the introduction of new paper money to restore confidence.
Panic of 1792
1792
~2 months
~0 years
Its causes included the extension of credit and excessive speculation. The panic was largely solved by providing banks the necessary funds to make open market purchases.
Panic of 1796–1797
1796–1799
~3 years
~4 years
Just as a land speculation bubble was bursting, deflation from the Bank of England (which was facing insolvency due to the cost of British involvement in the French Revolutionary Wars) crossed to North America and disrupted commercial and real estate markets in the United States and the Caribbean, and caused a major financial panic. Prosperity cont
1802–1804 recession
1802–1804
~2 years
~3 years
A boom of war-time activity led to a decline after the Peace of Amiens ended the war between the United Kingdom and France. Commodity prices fell dramatically. Trade was disrupted by pirates, leading to the First Barbary War.
Depression of 1807
1807–1810
~3 years
~3 years
The Embargo Act of 1807 was passed by the United States Congress under President Thomas Jefferson as tensions increased with the United Kingdom. The Act severely impacted shipping-related industries in the United States. The Federalists fought the embargo and allowed American merchants to smuggle goods with their British counterparts in New England
1812 recession
1812
~6 months
~18 months
The United States entered a brief recession at the beginning of 1812. The decline was brief primarily because the United States soon increased production to fight the War of 1812, which began June 18, 1812.
1815–1821 depression
1815–1821
~6 years
~3 years
Shortly after the war ended on March 23, 1815, the United States entered a period of financial panic as bank notes rapidly depreciated because of inflation following the war. The 1815 panic was followed by several years of mild depression, and then a major financial crisis – the Panic of 1819, which featured widespread foreclosures, bank failures,
1822–1823 recession
1822–1823
~1 year
~1 year
After only a mild recovery following the lengthy 1815–1821 depression, commodity prices hit a peak in March 1822 and began to fall. Many businesses failed, unemployment rose and an increase in imports worsened the trade balance.
1825–1826 recession
1825–1826
~1 year
~2 years
The Panic of 1825, a stock crash following a bubble of speculative investments in Latin America led to a decline in business activity in the United States and Britain. The recession coincided with a major panic, the date of which may be more easily determined than general cycle changes associated with other recessions.
1828–1829 recession
1828–1829
~1 year
~2 years
In 1826, Britain banned US citizens from trading with British colonies, and in 1827, the United States adopted a counter-prohibition. Trade declined, just as credit became tight for manufacturers in New England.
1833–1834 recession
1833–1834
~1 year
~4 years
The United States' economy declined moderately in 1833–34. News accounts of the time confirm the slowdown. The subsequent expansion was driven by land speculation.
· Free Banking Era to the Great Depression (1836–1929)
late 1839–late 1843 recession
late 1839–late 1843 recession
Name → 1836–1838 recession
late 1839–late 1843 recession
Dates → —
—
Duration → ~2 years
~4 years
Time since previous recession → ~2 years
~1 year
Business activity → −32 %
−34 %
Trade & industrial activity → —
—
Characteristics → A sharp downturn in the American economy was caused by bank failures, lack of confidence in the paper currency, tightening of English Credit, crop failures and Jacksonian policy. Speculation markets were greatly affected when American banks stopped payment in specie (gold and silver coinage). Over 600 banks failed in this period. In the Southern Un
This was one of the longest and deepest depressions of the 19th century: it was a period of pronounced deflation and massive defaults on debt. The Cleveland Trust Company Index showed the economy spent 68 months below its trend, and only nine months above it, and declined 34 % during this depression.
1845–late 1846 recession
1845–late 1846 recession
Name → 1836–1838 recession
1845–late 1846 recession
Dates → —
—
Duration → ~2 years
~1 year
Time since previous recession → ~2 years
~2 years
Business activity → −32 %
−5 %
Trade & industrial activity → —
—
Characteristics → A sharp downturn in the American economy was caused by bank failures, lack of confidence in the paper currency, tightening of English Credit, crop failures and Jacksonian policy. Speculation markets were greatly affected when American banks stopped payment in specie (gold and silver coinage). Over 600 banks failed in this period. In the Southern Un
This recession was mild enough that it may have only been a slowdown in the growth cycle. One theory holds that this would have been a recession, except the United States began to gear up for the Mexican–American War, which began April 25, 1846.
1847–1848 recession
1847–1848 recession
Name → 1836–1838 recession
1847–1848 recession
Dates → —
late 1847 – late 1848
Duration → ~2 years
~1 year
Time since previous recession → ~2 years
~1 year
Business activity → −32 %
−19 %
Trade & industrial activity → —
—
Characteristics → A sharp downturn in the American economy was caused by bank failures, lack of confidence in the paper currency, tightening of English Credit, crop failures and Jacksonian policy. Speculation markets were greatly affected when American banks stopped payment in specie (gold and silver coinage). Over 600 banks failed in this period. In the Southern Un
The Cleveland Trust Company Index declined 19 % during 1847 and 1848. It is associated with the Panic of 1847, a financial crisis in Great Britain.
1853–1854 recession
1853–1854 recession
Name → 1836–1838 recession
1853–1854 recession
Dates → —
1853 – December 1854
Duration → ~2 years
~1 year
Time since previous recession → ~2 years
~5 years
Business activity → −32 %
−18 %
Trade & industrial activity → —
—
Characteristics → A sharp downturn in the American economy was caused by bank failures, lack of confidence in the paper currency, tightening of English Credit, crop failures and Jacksonian policy. Speculation markets were greatly affected when American banks stopped payment in specie (gold and silver coinage). Over 600 banks failed in this period. In the Southern Un
Interest rates rose in this period, contributing to a decrease in railroad investment. Security prices fell during this period. With the exception of falling business investment, there is little evidence of contraction in this period.
Panic of 1857
Panic of 1857
Name → 1836–1838 recession
Panic of 1857
Dates → —
June 1857 – December 1858
Duration → ~2 years
1 year 6 months
Time since previous recession → ~2 years
2 years 6 months
Business activity → −32 %
−23 %
Trade & industrial activity → —
—
Characteristics → A sharp downturn in the American economy was caused by bank failures, lack of confidence in the paper currency, tightening of English Credit, crop failures and Jacksonian policy. Speculation markets were greatly affected when American banks stopped payment in specie (gold and silver coinage). Over 600 banks failed in this period. In the Southern Un
The failure of the Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Company burst a European speculative bubble in United States' railroads and caused a loss of confidence in American banks. Over 5,000 businesses failed within the first year of the Panic, and unemployment was accompanied by protest meetings in urban areas. This recession was one of the main causes of
1860–1861 recession
1860–1861 recession
Name → 1836–1838 recession
1860–1861 recession
Dates → —
October 1860 – June 1861
Duration → ~2 years
8 months
Time since previous recession → ~2 years
1 year 10 months
Business activity → −32 %
−14 %
Trade & industrial activity → —
—
Characteristics → A sharp downturn in the American economy was caused by bank failures, lack of confidence in the paper currency, tightening of English Credit, crop failures and Jacksonian policy. Speculation markets were greatly affected when American banks stopped payment in specie (gold and silver coinage). Over 600 banks failed in this period. In the Southern Un
There was a mild recession before the American Civil War, which began on April 12, 1861, although the recession was only limited to some areas. Zarnowitz says the data generally show a contraction occurred in this period, but it was quite mild. A financial panic was narrowly averted in 1860 by the first use of clearing house certificates between ba
1865–1867 recession
1865–1867 recession
Name → 1836–1838 recession
1865–1867 recession
Dates → —
April 1865 – December 1867
Duration → ~2 years
2 years 8 months
Time since previous recession → ~2 years
3 years 10 months
Business activity → −32 %
−23 %
Trade & industrial activity → —
—
Characteristics → A sharp downturn in the American economy was caused by bank failures, lack of confidence in the paper currency, tightening of English Credit, crop failures and Jacksonian policy. Speculation markets were greatly affected when American banks stopped payment in specie (gold and silver coinage). Over 600 banks failed in this period. In the Southern Un
The American Civil War ended in April 1865, and the country entered a lengthy period of general deflation that lasted until 1896. The United States occasionally experienced periods of recession during the Reconstruction Era. Production increased in the years following the Civil War, but the country still had financial difficulties. The post-war per
1869–1870 recession
1869–1870 recession
Name → 1836–1838 recession
1869–1870 recession
Dates → —
June 1869 – December 1870
Duration → ~2 years
1 year 6 months
Time since previous recession → ~2 years
1 year 6 months
Business activity → −32 %
−9 %
Trade & industrial activity → —
—
Characteristics → A sharp downturn in the American economy was caused by bank failures, lack of confidence in the paper currency, tightening of English Credit, crop failures and Jacksonian policy. Speculation markets were greatly affected when American banks stopped payment in specie (gold and silver coinage). Over 600 banks failed in this period. In the Southern Un
A few years after the Civil War, a short recession occurred. It was unusual since it came amid a period when railroad investment was greatly accelerating, even producing the First transcontinental railroad. The railroads built in this period opened up the interior of the country, giving birth to the Farmers' movement. The recession may be explained
Panic of 1873 and the Long Depression
Panic of 1873 and the Long Depression
Name → 1836–1838 recession
Panic of 1873 and the Long Depression
Dates → —
October 1873 – March 1879
Duration → ~2 years
5 years 5 months
Time since previous recession → ~2 years
2 years 10 months
Business activity → −32 %
−33 % (−27 %)
Trade & industrial activity → —
—
Characteristics → A sharp downturn in the American economy was caused by bank failures, lack of confidence in the paper currency, tightening of English Credit, crop failures and Jacksonian policy. Speculation markets were greatly affected when American banks stopped payment in specie (gold and silver coinage). Over 600 banks failed in this period. In the Southern Un
Economic problems in Europe prompted the failure of Jay Cooke & Company, the largest bank in the United States, which burst the post-Civil War speculative bubble. The Coinage Act of 1873 also contributed by immediately depressing the price of silver, which hurt North American mining interests. The deflation and wage cuts of the era led to labor tur
Depression of 1882–1885
Depression of 1882–1885
Name → 1836–1838 recession
Depression of 1882–1885
Dates → —
March 1882 – May 1885
Duration → ~2 years
3 years 2 months
Time since previous recession → ~2 years
3 years
Business activity → −32 %
−32 %
Trade & industrial activity → —
−24 %
Characteristics → A sharp downturn in the American economy was caused by bank failures, lack of confidence in the paper currency, tightening of English Credit, crop failures and Jacksonian policy. Speculation markets were greatly affected when American banks stopped payment in specie (gold and silver coinage). Over 600 banks failed in this period. In the Southern Un
Like the Long Depression that preceded it, the recession of 1882–1885 was more of a price depression than a production depression. From 1879 to 1882, there had been a boom in railroad construction which came to an end, resulting in a decline in both railroad construction and in related industries, particularly iron and steel. A major economic event
1887–1888 recession
1887–1888 recession
Name → 1836–1838 recession
1887–1888 recession
Dates → —
March 1887 – April 1888
Duration → ~2 years
1 year 1 month
Time since previous recession → ~2 years
1 year 10 months
Business activity → −32 %
−14 %
Trade & industrial activity → —
−8 %
Characteristics → A sharp downturn in the American economy was caused by bank failures, lack of confidence in the paper currency, tightening of English Credit, crop failures and Jacksonian policy. Speculation markets were greatly affected when American banks stopped payment in specie (gold and silver coinage). Over 600 banks failed in this period. In the Southern Un
Investments in railroads and buildings weakened during this period. This slowdown was so mild that it is not always considered a recession. Contemporary accounts apparently indicate it was considered a slight recession.
1890–1891 recession
1890–1891 recession
Name → 1836–1838 recession
1890–1891 recession
Dates → —
July 1890 – May 1891
Duration → ~2 years
10 months
Time since previous recession → ~2 years
1 year 5 months
Business activity → −32 %
−22 %
Trade & industrial activity → —
−11 %
Characteristics → A sharp downturn in the American economy was caused by bank failures, lack of confidence in the paper currency, tightening of English Credit, crop failures and Jacksonian policy. Speculation markets were greatly affected when American banks stopped payment in specie (gold and silver coinage). Over 600 banks failed in this period. In the Southern Un
Although shorter than the recession in 1887–1888 and still modest, a slowdown in 1890–1891 was somewhat more pronounced than the preceding recession. International monetary disturbances are blamed for this recession, such as the Panic of 1890 in the United Kingdom.
Panic of 1893
Panic of 1893
Name → 1836–1838 recession
Panic of 1893
Dates → —
January 1893 – June 1894
Duration → ~2 years
1 year 5 months
Time since previous recession → ~2 years
1 year 8 months
Business activity → −32 %
−37 %
Trade & industrial activity → —
−29 %
Characteristics → A sharp downturn in the American economy was caused by bank failures, lack of confidence in the paper currency, tightening of English Credit, crop failures and Jacksonian policy. Speculation markets were greatly affected when American banks stopped payment in specie (gold and silver coinage). Over 600 banks failed in this period. In the Southern Un
The failure of the United States Reading Railroad and withdrawal of European investment led to a stock market and banking collapse: this Panic was also precipitated in part by a run on the gold supply. The Treasury had to issue bonds to purchase enough gold. Profits, investment and income all fell, leading to political instability, the height of th
Panic of 1896
Panic of 1896
Name → 1836–1838 recession
Panic of 1896
Dates → —
December 1895 – June 1897
Duration → ~2 years
1 year 6 months
Time since previous recession → ~2 years
1 year 6 months
Business activity → −32 %
−25 %
Trade & industrial activity → —
−20 %
Characteristics → A sharp downturn in the American economy was caused by bank failures, lack of confidence in the paper currency, tightening of English Credit, crop failures and Jacksonian policy. Speculation markets were greatly affected when American banks stopped payment in specie (gold and silver coinage). Over 600 banks failed in this period. In the Southern Un
The period of 1893–1897 is seen as a generally depressed cycle that had a short spurt of growth in the middle, following the Panic of 1893. Production shrank and deflation reigned.
1899–1900 recession
1899–1900 recession
Name → 1836–1838 recession
1899–1900 recession
Dates → —
June 1899 – December 1900
Duration → ~2 years
1 year 6 months
Time since previous recession → ~2 years
2 years
Business activity → −32 %
−15 %
Trade & industrial activity → —
−8 %
Characteristics → A sharp downturn in the American economy was caused by bank failures, lack of confidence in the paper currency, tightening of English Credit, crop failures and Jacksonian policy. Speculation markets were greatly affected when American banks stopped payment in specie (gold and silver coinage). Over 600 banks failed in this period. In the Southern Un
This was a mild recession in the period of general growth beginning after 1897. Evidence for a recession in this period does not show up in some annual data series.
1902–1904 recession
1902–1904 recession
Name → 1836–1838 recession
1902–1904 recession
Dates → —
September 1902 – August 1904
Duration → ~2 years
1 year 11 months
Time since previous recession → ~2 years
1 year 9 months
Business activity → −32 %
−16 %
Trade & industrial activity → —
−17 %
Characteristics → A sharp downturn in the American economy was caused by bank failures, lack of confidence in the paper currency, tightening of English Credit, crop failures and Jacksonian policy. Speculation markets were greatly affected when American banks stopped payment in specie (gold and silver coinage). Over 600 banks failed in this period. In the Southern Un
Though not severe, this downturn lasted for nearly two years and saw a distinct decline in the national product. Industrial and commercial production both declined, albeit fairly modestly. The recession came about a year after a 1901 stock crash.
Panic of 1907
Panic of 1907
Name → 1836–1838 recession
Panic of 1907
Dates → —
May 1907 – June 1908
Duration → ~2 years
1 year 1 month
Time since previous recession → ~2 years
2 years 9 months
Business activity → −32 %
−29 %
Trade & industrial activity → —
−31 %
Characteristics → A sharp downturn in the American economy was caused by bank failures, lack of confidence in the paper currency, tightening of English Credit, crop failures and Jacksonian policy. Speculation markets were greatly affected when American banks stopped payment in specie (gold and silver coinage). Over 600 banks failed in this period. In the Southern Un
A run on Knickerbocker Trust Company deposits on October 22, 1907, set events in motion that would lead to a severe monetary contraction. The fallout from the panic led to Congress creating the Federal Reserve System.
Panic of 1910–1911
Panic of 1910–1911
Name → 1836–1838 recession
Panic of 1910–1911
Dates → —
January 1910 – January 1912
Duration → ~2 years
2 years
Time since previous recession → ~2 years
1 year 7 months
Business activity → −32 %
−14 %
Trade & industrial activity → —
−10 %
Characteristics → A sharp downturn in the American economy was caused by bank failures, lack of confidence in the paper currency, tightening of English Credit, crop failures and Jacksonian policy. Speculation markets were greatly affected when American banks stopped payment in specie (gold and silver coinage). Over 600 banks failed in this period. In the Southern Un
This was a mild but lengthy recession. The national product grew by less than 1%, and commercial activity and industrial activity declined. The period was also marked by deflation.
Recession of 1913–1914
Recession of 1913–1914
Name → 1836–1838 recession
Recession of 1913–1914
Dates → —
January 1913 – December 1914
Duration → ~2 years
1 year 11 months
Time since previous recession → ~2 years
1 year
Business activity → −32 %
−25 %
Trade & industrial activity → —
−19 %
Characteristics → A sharp downturn in the American economy was caused by bank failures, lack of confidence in the paper currency, tightening of English Credit, crop failures and Jacksonian policy. Speculation markets were greatly affected when American banks stopped payment in specie (gold and silver coinage). Over 600 banks failed in this period. In the Southern Un
Productions and real income declined during this period and were not offset until the start of World War I increased demand. Incidentally, the Federal Reserve Act was signed during this recession, creating the Federal Reserve System, the culmination of a sequence of events following the Panic of 1907. The financial crisis of 1914 occurred following
Post-World War I recession
Post-World War I recession
Name → 1836–1838 recession
Post-World War I recession
Dates → —
August 1918 – March 1919
Duration → ~2 years
7 months
Time since previous recession → ~2 years
3 years 8 months
Business activity → −32 %
−24 %
Trade & industrial activity → —
−14 %
Characteristics → A sharp downturn in the American economy was caused by bank failures, lack of confidence in the paper currency, tightening of English Credit, crop failures and Jacksonian policy. Speculation markets were greatly affected when American banks stopped payment in specie (gold and silver coinage). Over 600 banks failed in this period. In the Southern Un
Severe hyperinflation in Europe took place over production in North America. This was a brief but very sharp recession and was caused by the end of wartime production, along with an influx of labor from returning troops. This, in turn, caused high unemployment.
Depression of 1920–1921
Depression of 1920–1921
Name → 1836–1838 recession
Depression of 1920–1921
Dates → —
January 1920 – July 1921
Duration → ~2 years
1 year 6 months
Time since previous recession → ~2 years
10 months
Business activity → −32 %
−38 %
Trade & industrial activity → —
−32 %
Characteristics → A sharp downturn in the American economy was caused by bank failures, lack of confidence in the paper currency, tightening of English Credit, crop failures and Jacksonian policy. Speculation markets were greatly affected when American banks stopped payment in specie (gold and silver coinage). Over 600 banks failed in this period. In the Southern Un
The 1921 recession began a mere 10 months after the post-World War I recession, as the economy continued working through the shift to a peacetime economy. The recession was short, but extremely painful. The year 1920 was the single most deflationary year in American history; production, however, did not fall as much as might be expected from the de
1923–1924 recession
1923–1924 recession
Name → 1836–1838 recession
1923–1924 recession
Dates → —
May 1923 – June 1924
Duration → ~2 years
1 year 2 months
Time since previous recession → ~2 years
2 years
Business activity → −32 %
−25 %
Trade & industrial activity → —
−22 %
Characteristics → A sharp downturn in the American economy was caused by bank failures, lack of confidence in the paper currency, tightening of English Credit, crop failures and Jacksonian policy. Speculation markets were greatly affected when American banks stopped payment in specie (gold and silver coinage). Over 600 banks failed in this period. In the Southern Un
From the depression of 1920–1921 until the Great Depression, an era dubbed the Roaring Twenties, the economy was generally expanding. Industrial production declined in 1923–24, but on the whole this was a mild recession.
1926–1927 recession
1926–1927 recession
Name → 1836–1838 recession
1926–1927 recession
Dates → —
October 1926 – November 1927
Duration → ~2 years
1 year 1 month
Time since previous recession → ~2 years
2 years 3 months
Business activity → −32 %
−12 %
Trade & industrial activity → —
−10 %
Characteristics → A sharp downturn in the American economy was caused by bank failures, lack of confidence in the paper currency, tightening of English Credit, crop failures and Jacksonian policy. Speculation markets were greatly affected when American banks stopped payment in specie (gold and silver coinage). Over 600 banks failed in this period. In the Southern Un
This was an unusual and mild recession, thought to be caused largely because Henry Ford closed production in his factories for six months to switch from production of the Model T to the Model A. Charles P. Kindleberger says the period from 1925 to the start of the Great Depression is best thought of as a boom, and this minor recession just proof th
Name
Dates
Duration
Time since previous recession
Business activity
Trade & industrial activity
Characteristics
1836–1838 recession
—
~2 years
~2 years
−32 %
—
A sharp downturn in the American economy was caused by bank failures, lack of confidence in the paper currency, tightening of English Credit, crop failures and Jacksonian policy. Speculation markets were greatly affected when American banks stopped payment in specie (gold and silver coinage). Over 600 banks failed in this period. In the Southern Un
late 1839–late 1843 recession
—
~4 years
~1 year
−34 %
—
This was one of the longest and deepest depressions of the 19th century: it was a period of pronounced deflation and massive defaults on debt. The Cleveland Trust Company Index showed the economy spent 68 months below its trend, and only nine months above it, and declined 34 % during this depression.
1845–late 1846 recession
—
~1 year
~2 years
−5 %
—
This recession was mild enough that it may have only been a slowdown in the growth cycle. One theory holds that this would have been a recession, except the United States began to gear up for the Mexican–American War, which began April 25, 1846.
1847–1848 recession
late 1847 – late 1848
~1 year
~1 year
−19 %
—
The Cleveland Trust Company Index declined 19 % during 1847 and 1848. It is associated with the Panic of 1847, a financial crisis in Great Britain.
1853–1854 recession
1853 – December 1854
~1 year
~5 years
−18 %
—
Interest rates rose in this period, contributing to a decrease in railroad investment. Security prices fell during this period. With the exception of falling business investment, there is little evidence of contraction in this period.
Panic of 1857
June 1857 – December 1858
1 year 6 months
2 years 6 months
−23 %
—
The failure of the Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Company burst a European speculative bubble in United States' railroads and caused a loss of confidence in American banks. Over 5,000 businesses failed within the first year of the Panic, and unemployment was accompanied by protest meetings in urban areas. This recession was one of the main causes of
1860–1861 recession
October 1860 – June 1861
8 months
1 year 10 months
−14 %
—
There was a mild recession before the American Civil War, which began on April 12, 1861, although the recession was only limited to some areas. Zarnowitz says the data generally show a contraction occurred in this period, but it was quite mild. A financial panic was narrowly averted in 1860 by the first use of clearing house certificates between ba
1865–1867 recession
April 1865 – December 1867
2 years 8 months
3 years 10 months
−23 %
—
The American Civil War ended in April 1865, and the country entered a lengthy period of general deflation that lasted until 1896. The United States occasionally experienced periods of recession during the Reconstruction Era. Production increased in the years following the Civil War, but the country still had financial difficulties. The post-war per
1869–1870 recession
June 1869 – December 1870
1 year 6 months
1 year 6 months
−9 %
—
A few years after the Civil War, a short recession occurred. It was unusual since it came amid a period when railroad investment was greatly accelerating, even producing the First transcontinental railroad. The railroads built in this period opened up the interior of the country, giving birth to the Farmers' movement. The recession may be explained
Panic of 1873 and the Long Depression
October 1873 – March 1879
5 years 5 months
2 years 10 months
−33 % (−27 %)
—
Economic problems in Europe prompted the failure of Jay Cooke & Company, the largest bank in the United States, which burst the post-Civil War speculative bubble. The Coinage Act of 1873 also contributed by immediately depressing the price of silver, which hurt North American mining interests. The deflation and wage cuts of the era led to labor tur
Depression of 1882–1885
March 1882 – May 1885
3 years 2 months
3 years
−32 %
−24 %
Like the Long Depression that preceded it, the recession of 1882–1885 was more of a price depression than a production depression. From 1879 to 1882, there had been a boom in railroad construction which came to an end, resulting in a decline in both railroad construction and in related industries, particularly iron and steel. A major economic event
1887–1888 recession
March 1887 – April 1888
1 year 1 month
1 year 10 months
−14 %
−8 %
Investments in railroads and buildings weakened during this period. This slowdown was so mild that it is not always considered a recession. Contemporary accounts apparently indicate it was considered a slight recession.
1890–1891 recession
July 1890 – May 1891
10 months
1 year 5 months
−22 %
−11 %
Although shorter than the recession in 1887–1888 and still modest, a slowdown in 1890–1891 was somewhat more pronounced than the preceding recession. International monetary disturbances are blamed for this recession, such as the Panic of 1890 in the United Kingdom.
Panic of 1893
January 1893 – June 1894
1 year 5 months
1 year 8 months
−37 %
−29 %
The failure of the United States Reading Railroad and withdrawal of European investment led to a stock market and banking collapse: this Panic was also precipitated in part by a run on the gold supply. The Treasury had to issue bonds to purchase enough gold. Profits, investment and income all fell, leading to political instability, the height of th
Panic of 1896
December 1895 – June 1897
1 year 6 months
1 year 6 months
−25 %
−20 %
The period of 1893–1897 is seen as a generally depressed cycle that had a short spurt of growth in the middle, following the Panic of 1893. Production shrank and deflation reigned.
1899–1900 recession
June 1899 – December 1900
1 year 6 months
2 years
−15 %
−8 %
This was a mild recession in the period of general growth beginning after 1897. Evidence for a recession in this period does not show up in some annual data series.
1902–1904 recession
September 1902 – August 1904
1 year 11 months
1 year 9 months
−16 %
−17 %
Though not severe, this downturn lasted for nearly two years and saw a distinct decline in the national product. Industrial and commercial production both declined, albeit fairly modestly. The recession came about a year after a 1901 stock crash.
Panic of 1907
May 1907 – June 1908
1 year 1 month
2 years 9 months
−29 %
−31 %
A run on Knickerbocker Trust Company deposits on October 22, 1907, set events in motion that would lead to a severe monetary contraction. The fallout from the panic led to Congress creating the Federal Reserve System.
Panic of 1910–1911
January 1910 – January 1912
2 years
1 year 7 months
−14 %
−10 %
This was a mild but lengthy recession. The national product grew by less than 1%, and commercial activity and industrial activity declined. The period was also marked by deflation.
Recession of 1913–1914
January 1913 – December 1914
1 year 11 months
1 year
−25 %
−19 %
Productions and real income declined during this period and were not offset until the start of World War I increased demand. Incidentally, the Federal Reserve Act was signed during this recession, creating the Federal Reserve System, the culmination of a sequence of events following the Panic of 1907. The financial crisis of 1914 occurred following
Post-World War I recession
August 1918 – March 1919
7 months
3 years 8 months
−24 %
−14 %
Severe hyperinflation in Europe took place over production in North America. This was a brief but very sharp recession and was caused by the end of wartime production, along with an influx of labor from returning troops. This, in turn, caused high unemployment.
Depression of 1920–1921
January 1920 – July 1921
1 year 6 months
10 months
−38 %
−32 %
The 1921 recession began a mere 10 months after the post-World War I recession, as the economy continued working through the shift to a peacetime economy. The recession was short, but extremely painful. The year 1920 was the single most deflationary year in American history; production, however, did not fall as much as might be expected from the de
1923–1924 recession
May 1923 – June 1924
1 year 2 months
2 years
−25 %
−22 %
From the depression of 1920–1921 until the Great Depression, an era dubbed the Roaring Twenties, the economy was generally expanding. Industrial production declined in 1923–24, but on the whole this was a mild recession.
1926–1927 recession
October 1926 – November 1927
1 year 1 month
2 years 3 months
−12 %
−10 %
This was an unusual and mild recession, thought to be caused largely because Henry Ford closed production in his factories for six months to switch from production of the Model T to the Model A. Charles P. Kindleberger says the period from 1925 to the start of the Great Depression is best thought of as a boom, and this minor recession just proof th
· Great Depression onward (1929–present)
Recession of 1937–1938
Recession of 1937–1938
Name → Great Depression
Recession of 1937–1938
Period Range → August 1929 – March 1933
May 1937 – June 1938
Duration → 3 years 7 months
1 year 1 month
Time since previous recession → 1 year 9 months
4 years 2 months
Peak unemploy­ment → 21 % (1932)– 24 % (1933)
17 % −19 % (1938)
GDP decline (peak to trough) → −26 %
−18 %
Characteristics → A banking panic leading to the Wall Street crash of 1929 and a collapse in the money supply took place in the United States that was exacerbated by international commitment to the gold standard. Extensive new tariffs and other factors contributed to an extremely deep depression. GDP, industrial production, employment, and prices fell substantially.
The Recession of 1937 is only considered minor when compared to the Great Depression, but is otherwise among the worst recessions of the 20th century. Three explanations are offered as causes for the recession: the tight fiscal policy resulting from an attempt to balance the budget after New Deal spending; the tight monetary policy of the Federal R
Recession of 1945
Recession of 1945
Name → Great Depression
Recession of 1945
Period Range → August 1929 – March 1933
February 1945 – October 1945
Duration → 3 years 7 months
8 months
Time since previous recession → 1 year 9 months
6 years 8 months
Peak unemploy­ment → 21 % (1932)– 24 % (1933)
5 % (1946)
GDP decline (peak to trough) → −26 %
−12 %
Characteristics → A banking panic leading to the Wall Street crash of 1929 and a collapse in the money supply took place in the United States that was exacerbated by international commitment to the gold standard. Extensive new tariffs and other factors contributed to an extremely deep depression. GDP, industrial production, employment, and prices fell substantially.
The decline in government spending at the end of World War II led to an enormous drop in gross domestic product, making this technically a recession. This was the result of demobilization and the shift from a wartime to peacetime economy. The post-war years were unusual in a number of ways (unemployment was never high), and this era may be consider
Recession of 1949
Recession of 1949
Name → Great Depression
Recession of 1949
Period Range → August 1929 – March 1933
November 1948 – October 1949
Duration → 3 years 7 months
11 months
Time since previous recession → 1 year 9 months
3 years 1 month
Peak unemploy­ment → 21 % (1932)– 24 % (1933)
7 % (October 1949)
GDP decline (peak to trough) → −26 %
−1 %
Characteristics → A banking panic leading to the Wall Street crash of 1929 and a collapse in the money supply took place in the United States that was exacerbated by international commitment to the gold standard. Extensive new tariffs and other factors contributed to an extremely deep depression. GDP, industrial production, employment, and prices fell substantially.
The 1948 recession was a brief economic downturn; forecasters of the time expected much worse, perhaps influenced by the poor economy in their recent lifetimes. The recession also followed a period of monetary tightening.
Recession of 1953
Recession of 1953
Name → Great Depression
Recession of 1953
Period Range → August 1929 – March 1933
July 1953 – May 1954
Duration → 3 years 7 months
10 months
Time since previous recession → 1 year 9 months
3 years 9 months
Peak unemploy­ment → 21 % (1932)– 24 % (1933)
6 % (September 1954)
GDP decline (peak to trough) → −26 %
−2 %
Characteristics → A banking panic leading to the Wall Street crash of 1929 and a collapse in the money supply took place in the United States that was exacerbated by international commitment to the gold standard. Extensive new tariffs and other factors contributed to an extremely deep depression. GDP, industrial production, employment, and prices fell substantially.
After a post-Korean War inflationary period, more funds were transferred to national security. In 1951, the Federal Reserve reasserted its independence from the U . Treasury and in 1952, the Federal Reserve changed monetary policy to be more restrictive because of fears of further inflation or of a bubble forming.
Recession of 1958
Recession of 1958
Name → Great Depression
Recession of 1958
Period Range → August 1929 – March 1933
August 1957 – April 1958
Duration → 3 years 7 months
8 months
Time since previous recession → 1 year 9 months
3 years 3 months
Peak unemploy­ment → 21 % (1932)– 24 % (1933)
7 % (July 1958)
GDP decline (peak to trough) → −26 %
−3 %
Characteristics → A banking panic leading to the Wall Street crash of 1929 and a collapse in the money supply took place in the United States that was exacerbated by international commitment to the gold standard. Extensive new tariffs and other factors contributed to an extremely deep depression. GDP, industrial production, employment, and prices fell substantially.
Monetary policy was tightened during the two years preceding 1957, followed by an easing of policy at the end of 1957. The budget balance resulted in a change in budget surplus of 0 % of GDP in 1957 to a budget deficit of 0 % of GDP in 1958, and then to 2 % of GDP in 1959.
Recession of 1960–1961
Recession of 1960–1961
Name → Great Depression
Recession of 1960–1961
Period Range → August 1929 – March 1933
April 1960 – February 1961
Duration → 3 years 7 months
10 months
Time since previous recession → 1 year 9 months
2 years
Peak unemploy­ment → 21 % (1932)– 24 % (1933)
7 % (May 1961)
GDP decline (peak to trough) → −26 %
−1 %
Characteristics → A banking panic leading to the Wall Street crash of 1929 and a collapse in the money supply took place in the United States that was exacerbated by international commitment to the gold standard. Extensive new tariffs and other factors contributed to an extremely deep depression. GDP, industrial production, employment, and prices fell substantially.
Another primarily monetary recession occurred after the Federal Reserve began raising interest rates in 1959. The government switched from deficit (or 2 % in 1959) to surplus (of 0 % in 1960). When the economy emerged from this short recession, it began the second-longest period of growth in NBER history.
Recession of 1969–1970
Recession of 1969–1970
Name → Great Depression
Recession of 1969–1970
Period Range → August 1929 – March 1933
December 1969 – November 1970
Duration → 3 years 7 months
11 months
Time since previous recession → 1 year 9 months
8 years 10 months
Peak unemploy­ment → 21 % (1932)– 24 % (1933)
6 % (December 1970)
GDP decline (peak to trough) → −26 %
−0 %
Characteristics → A banking panic leading to the Wall Street crash of 1929 and a collapse in the money supply took place in the United States that was exacerbated by international commitment to the gold standard. Extensive new tariffs and other factors contributed to an extremely deep depression. GDP, industrial production, employment, and prices fell substantially.
The relatively mild 1969 recession followed a lengthy expansion. At the end of the expansion, inflation was rising, possibly a result of increased deficits. This relatively mild recession coincided with an attempt to start closing the budget deficits of the Vietnam War (fiscal tightening) and the Federal Reserve raising interest rates (monetary tig
1973–1975 recession
1973–1975 recession
Name → Great Depression
1973–1975 recession
Period Range → August 1929 – March 1933
November 1973 – March 1975
Duration → 3 years 7 months
1 year 4 months
Time since previous recession → 1 year 9 months
3 years
Peak unemploy­ment → 21 % (1932)– 24 % (1933)
9 % (May 1975)
GDP decline (peak to trough) → −26 %
−3 %
Characteristics → A banking panic leading to the Wall Street crash of 1929 and a collapse in the money supply took place in the United States that was exacerbated by international commitment to the gold standard. Extensive new tariffs and other factors contributed to an extremely deep depression. GDP, industrial production, employment, and prices fell substantially.
The 1973 oil crisis, a quadrupling of oil prices by OPEC, coupled with the 1973–1974 stock market crash led to a stagflation recession in the United States.
1980 recession
1980 recession
Name → Great Depression
1980 recession
Period Range → August 1929 – March 1933
January 1980 – July 1980
Duration → 3 years 7 months
6 months
Time since previous recession → 1 year 9 months
4 years 10 months
Peak unemploy­ment → 21 % (1932)– 24 % (1933)
7 % (July 1980)
GDP decline (peak to trough) → −26 %
−2 %
Characteristics → A banking panic leading to the Wall Street crash of 1929 and a collapse in the money supply took place in the United States that was exacerbated by international commitment to the gold standard. Extensive new tariffs and other factors contributed to an extremely deep depression. GDP, industrial production, employment, and prices fell substantially.
The NBER considers a very short recession to have occurred in 1980, followed by a short period of growth and then a deep recession. Unemployment remained relatively elevated in between recessions. The recession began as the Federal Reserve, under Paul Volcker, raised interest rates dramatically to fight the inflation of the 1970s. The early 1980s a
1981–1982 recession
1981–1982 recession
Name → Great Depression
1981–1982 recession
Period Range → August 1929 – March 1933
July 1981 – November 1982
Duration → 3 years 7 months
1 year 4 months
Time since previous recession → 1 year 9 months
1 year
Peak unemploy­ment → 21 % (1932)– 24 % (1933)
10 % (November 1982)
GDP decline (peak to trough) → −26 %
−2 %
Characteristics → A banking panic leading to the Wall Street crash of 1929 and a collapse in the money supply took place in the United States that was exacerbated by international commitment to the gold standard. Extensive new tariffs and other factors contributed to an extremely deep depression. GDP, industrial production, employment, and prices fell substantially.
The Iranian Revolution sharply increased the price of oil around the world in 1979, causing the 1979 energy crisis. This was caused by the new regime in power in Iran, which exported oil at inconsistent intervals and at a lower volume, forcing prices up. Tight monetary policy in the United States to control inflation led to another recession. The c
Early 1990s recession
Early 1990s recession
Name → Great Depression
Early 1990s recession
Period Range → August 1929 – March 1933
July 1990 – March 1991
Duration → 3 years 7 months
8 months
Time since previous recession → 1 year 9 months
7 years 8 months
Peak unemploy­ment → 21 % (1932)– 24 % (1933)
7 % (June 1992)
GDP decline (peak to trough) → −26 %
−1 %
Characteristics → A banking panic leading to the Wall Street crash of 1929 and a collapse in the money supply took place in the United States that was exacerbated by international commitment to the gold standard. Extensive new tariffs and other factors contributed to an extremely deep depression. GDP, industrial production, employment, and prices fell substantially.
After the lengthy peacetime expansion of the 1980s, inflation began to increase and the Federal Reserve responded by raising interest rates from 1986 to 1989. This weakened but did not stop growth, but some combination of the subsequent 1990 oil price shock, the debt accumulation of the 1980s, and growing consumer pessimism combined with the weaken
Early 2000s recession
Early 2000s recession
Name → Great Depression
Early 2000s recession
Period Range → August 1929 – March 1933
March 2001 – November 2001
Duration → 3 years 7 months
8 months
Time since previous recession → 1 year 9 months
10 years
Peak unemploy­ment → 21 % (1932)– 24 % (1933)
6 % (June 2003)
GDP decline (peak to trough) → −26 %
−0 %
Characteristics → A banking panic leading to the Wall Street crash of 1929 and a collapse in the money supply took place in the United States that was exacerbated by international commitment to the gold standard. Extensive new tariffs and other factors contributed to an extremely deep depression. GDP, industrial production, employment, and prices fell substantially.
The 1990s were the longest period of economic growth in American history up to that point. The collapse of the speculative dot-com bubble, a fall in business outlays and investments, and the September 11th attacks, brought the decade of growth to an end. Despite these major shocks, the recession was brief and shallow.
Great Recession
Great Recession
Name → Great Depression
Great Recession
Period Range → August 1929 – March 1933
December 2007 – June 2009
Duration → 3 years 7 months
1 year 6 months
Time since previous recession → 1 year 9 months
6 years 1 month
Peak unemploy­ment → 21 % (1932)– 24 % (1933)
10 % (October 2009)
GDP decline (peak to trough) → −26 %
−5 %
Characteristics → A banking panic leading to the Wall Street crash of 1929 and a collapse in the money supply took place in the United States that was exacerbated by international commitment to the gold standard. Extensive new tariffs and other factors contributed to an extremely deep depression. GDP, industrial production, employment, and prices fell substantially.
The subprime mortgage crisis led to the collapse of the United States housing bubble. Falling housing-related assets contributed to the 2008 financial crisis, even as oil and food prices soared. The crisis led to the failure or collapse of many of the United States' largest financial institutions: Bear Stearns, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Lehman Broth
COVID-19 recession
COVID-19 recession
Name → Great Depression
COVID-19 recession
Period Range → August 1929 – March 1933
February 2020 – April 2020
Duration → 3 years 7 months
2 months
Time since previous recession → 1 year 9 months
10 years 8 months
Peak unemploy­ment → 21 % (1932)– 24 % (1933)
14 % (April 2020)
GDP decline (peak to trough) → −26 %
−19 %
Characteristics → A banking panic leading to the Wall Street crash of 1929 and a collapse in the money supply took place in the United States that was exacerbated by international commitment to the gold standard. Extensive new tariffs and other factors contributed to an extremely deep depression. GDP, industrial production, employment, and prices fell substantially.
The economic effects of the pandemic were severe after the first quarter of 2020. More than 24 million people lost jobs in the United States in just three weeks in April. The economic impact of the virus is still being determined, but the recession was the shortest on record.
Name
Period Range
Duration
Time since previous recession
Peak unemploy­ment
GDP decline (peak to trough)
Characteristics
Great Depression
August 1929 – March 1933
3 years 7 months
1 year 9 months
21 % (1932)– 24 % (1933)
−26 %
A banking panic leading to the Wall Street crash of 1929 and a collapse in the money supply took place in the United States that was exacerbated by international commitment to the gold standard. Extensive new tariffs and other factors contributed to an extremely deep depression. GDP, industrial production, employment, and prices fell substantially.
Recession of 1937–1938
May 1937 – June 1938
1 year 1 month
4 years 2 months
17 % −19 % (1938)
−18 %
The Recession of 1937 is only considered minor when compared to the Great Depression, but is otherwise among the worst recessions of the 20th century. Three explanations are offered as causes for the recession: the tight fiscal policy resulting from an attempt to balance the budget after New Deal spending; the tight monetary policy of the Federal R
Recession of 1945
February 1945 – October 1945
8 months
6 years 8 months
5 % (1946)
−12 %
The decline in government spending at the end of World War II led to an enormous drop in gross domestic product, making this technically a recession. This was the result of demobilization and the shift from a wartime to peacetime economy. The post-war years were unusual in a number of ways (unemployment was never high), and this era may be consider
Recession of 1949
November 1948 – October 1949
11 months
3 years 1 month
7 % (October 1949)
−1 %
The 1948 recession was a brief economic downturn; forecasters of the time expected much worse, perhaps influenced by the poor economy in their recent lifetimes. The recession also followed a period of monetary tightening.
Recession of 1953
July 1953 – May 1954
10 months
3 years 9 months
6 % (September 1954)
−2 %
After a post-Korean War inflationary period, more funds were transferred to national security. In 1951, the Federal Reserve reasserted its independence from the U . Treasury and in 1952, the Federal Reserve changed monetary policy to be more restrictive because of fears of further inflation or of a bubble forming.
Recession of 1958
August 1957 – April 1958
8 months
3 years 3 months
7 % (July 1958)
−3 %
Monetary policy was tightened during the two years preceding 1957, followed by an easing of policy at the end of 1957. The budget balance resulted in a change in budget surplus of 0 % of GDP in 1957 to a budget deficit of 0 % of GDP in 1958, and then to 2 % of GDP in 1959.
Recession of 1960–1961
April 1960 – February 1961
10 months
2 years
7 % (May 1961)
−1 %
Another primarily monetary recession occurred after the Federal Reserve began raising interest rates in 1959. The government switched from deficit (or 2 % in 1959) to surplus (of 0 % in 1960). When the economy emerged from this short recession, it began the second-longest period of growth in NBER history.
Recession of 1969–1970
December 1969 – November 1970
11 months
8 years 10 months
6 % (December 1970)
−0 %
The relatively mild 1969 recession followed a lengthy expansion. At the end of the expansion, inflation was rising, possibly a result of increased deficits. This relatively mild recession coincided with an attempt to start closing the budget deficits of the Vietnam War (fiscal tightening) and the Federal Reserve raising interest rates (monetary tig
1973–1975 recession
November 1973 – March 1975
1 year 4 months
3 years
9 % (May 1975)
−3 %
The 1973 oil crisis, a quadrupling of oil prices by OPEC, coupled with the 1973–1974 stock market crash led to a stagflation recession in the United States.
1980 recession
January 1980 – July 1980
6 months
4 years 10 months
7 % (July 1980)
−2 %
The NBER considers a very short recession to have occurred in 1980, followed by a short period of growth and then a deep recession. Unemployment remained relatively elevated in between recessions. The recession began as the Federal Reserve, under Paul Volcker, raised interest rates dramatically to fight the inflation of the 1970s. The early 1980s a
1981–1982 recession
July 1981 – November 1982
1 year 4 months
1 year
10 % (November 1982)
−2 %
The Iranian Revolution sharply increased the price of oil around the world in 1979, causing the 1979 energy crisis. This was caused by the new regime in power in Iran, which exported oil at inconsistent intervals and at a lower volume, forcing prices up. Tight monetary policy in the United States to control inflation led to another recession. The c
Early 1990s recession
July 1990 – March 1991
8 months
7 years 8 months
7 % (June 1992)
−1 %
After the lengthy peacetime expansion of the 1980s, inflation began to increase and the Federal Reserve responded by raising interest rates from 1986 to 1989. This weakened but did not stop growth, but some combination of the subsequent 1990 oil price shock, the debt accumulation of the 1980s, and growing consumer pessimism combined with the weaken
Early 2000s recession
March 2001 – November 2001
8 months
10 years
6 % (June 2003)
−0 %
The 1990s were the longest period of economic growth in American history up to that point. The collapse of the speculative dot-com bubble, a fall in business outlays and investments, and the September 11th attacks, brought the decade of growth to an end. Despite these major shocks, the recession was brief and shallow.
Great Recession
December 2007 – June 2009
1 year 6 months
6 years 1 month
10 % (October 2009)
−5 %
The subprime mortgage crisis led to the collapse of the United States housing bubble. Falling housing-related assets contributed to the 2008 financial crisis, even as oil and food prices soared. The crisis led to the failure or collapse of many of the United States' largest financial institutions: Bear Stearns, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Lehman Broth
COVID-19 recession
February 2020 – April 2020
2 months
10 years 8 months
14 % (April 2020)
−19 %
The economic effects of the pandemic were severe after the first quarter of 2020. More than 24 million people lost jobs in the United States in just three weeks in April. The economic impact of the virus is still being determined, but the recession was the shortest on record.

References

  1. The rule of thumb defining recession as two quarters of negative GDP growth is not used by NBER. The NBER looks for mont
  2. The NBER's monthly chronology of recessions begins in 1854. In the 1920s, the economist Willard Thorp, working for the N
  3. The peak to trough decline in business activity and trade and industrial activity during a given recession. From 1834 to
  4. Zarnowitz 1996, pp. 221–226
  5. The Journal of Economic History
    http://www.employees.csbsju.edu/jolson/econ315/whaples2123771.pdf
  6. "The NBER's Recession Dating Procedure"
    https://www.nber.org/cycles/recessions.html
  7. "The NBER's Recession Dating Procedure: Frequently Asked Questions"
    https://www.nber.org/cycles/recessions_faq.html
  8. "Comprehensive Revision of the National Income and Product Accounts 1929 through Second Quarter 2003"
    https://web.archive.org/web/20080920053305/http://bea.gov/newsreleases/national/nipa/2003/2003cr_newsrelease.htm
  9. "NBER Business Cycle Expansions and Contractions"
    https://www.nber.org/cycles/
  10. The American Business Cycle: Continuity and Change
    https://www.nber.org/chapters/c10035
  11. The American Business Cycle: Continuity and Change
    https://www.nber.org/chapters/c10035
  12. Business Annals
    https://www.nber.org/books/thor26-1
  13. Glasner & Cooley 1997, p. 732
  14. www
    https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/financial-panics
  15. www
    http://www.coins.nd.edu/ColCurrency/CurrencyIntros/IntroCopperPanic.html
  16. New York University, working paper
  17. Journal of the Early Republic
    https://doi.org/10.1353%2Fjer.2005.0069
  18. Daniel J. Leab, ed. Encyclopedia of American recessions and depressions (2 vol. ABC-CLIO, 2014). see volume one pages 41
  19. The American Business Cycle: Continuity and Change
    https://www.nber.org/chapters/c10035
  20. Zarnowitz 1996, p. 222
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