1720 - Europe's First Financial Crisis
Dates That Made History · Season 3 · Episode 6
The collapse of the financial system designed by the Scotsman John Law to pay off Louis XIV's enormous debts is considered the first major stock market crash in European history. But what makes this moment so significant? Is it the failure of the paper money bank – or the deeper insight it provides into the power and debt regime of the French monarchy?
Episode Details
Air date, runtime, timezone, and episode position.
Season
3
Episode
6
Air Date
16/Nov/2025
Air Time
—
Runtime
27 min
Overview
Episode summary.
The collapse of the financial system designed by the Scotsman John Law to pay off Louis XIV's enormous debts is considered the first major stock market crash in European history. But what makes this moment so significant? Is it the failure of the paper money bank – or the deeper insight it provides into the power and debt regime of the French monarchy?
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