Ludwig von Mises Institute of Canada

This lecture was given by Steve Horwitz on Friday January 21st at the Institute for Liberal Studies seminar: From the Great Depression to the Great Recession: How Should Governments Respond to Crisis?

This is a great introductory refutation of the myths surrounding the Great Depression that are taught in High School – often the most that anyone will learn about it.

The four components:

• Laissez-faire caused the stock market crash and thereby the depression

• Hoover was committed to laissez-faire and did nothing while things collapsed

• FDR and the New Deal saved the US from disaster

• WWII finished the job and got us out completely

Download the lecture in PDF format so you can follow along here

Horwitz_ILS_Depression_Lecture

And listen to the lecture below (please excuse the rattling  radiators):

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Redmond is the director of the Ludwig von Mises Institute of Canada.

Tags: economics, FDR, Great Depression, Herbert Hoover, laissez faire, trade restrictions, USA