Daily Archives: May 17, 2025

From the golden optimism of 1900 to the financial shocks of the late 20th century, this article traces the rise and fall of monetary systems shaped by war, empire, ideology, and ambition. Explore how global currencies — once anchored in gold — became instruments of state power, how inflation and crisis tested public trust, and how the rules of money were rewritten again and again. From the Gold Standard to Bretton Woods, from Nixon’s decoupling to Volcker’s shock — this is a century-long journey through the shifting foundations of value and control.
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