This course examines major economic downturns throughout history, focusing on their causes, consequences, and lessons. It covers key events such as the Great Depression of 1929, the 1997 Asian financial crisis, and the 2008 global financial crisis. Through these case studies, students explore the role of markets, governments, and financial institutions in triggering and responding to economic collapses. The course also delves into policy interventions, regulatory failures, and the long-term social and economic impacts of these crises, fostering an understanding of how systemic risks and imbalances can lead to widespread instability in global markets.