The Road to the Fed
The Federal Reserve System was established in 1913 in reaction to a history of financial instability and other economic challenges.
A $3 continental bill, c. 1776 (via Museum of the American Revolution)
Last updated October 12, 2023
Essays in This Theme
Before the Fed: The Historical Precedents of the Federal Reserve System - The United States made several attempts to regulate banks and manage the money supply at a national level before the creation of the Federal Reserve System
The First Bank of the United States - Hamilton's grand experiment in central banking began in 1791
The Meeting at Jekyll Island - The 1910 gathering that laid the Fed’s foundations
National Banking Acts of 1863 and 1864 - The National Banking Acts of 1863 and 1864 marked an important moment in the development of the U.S. banking system.
The Second Bank of the United States - The nation made its second attempt at creating a central bank in 1816
