The aim of this course is to provide an account of the major financial crises that have repeatedly occurred around the world over the course of history. In particular, every episode will be addressed by jointly looking at the historical background and the specific economic and financial conditions which led to the crash as well as the policy responses implemented to overcome the crisis. The course is split into three main parts. The first part reviews the relevant economic theories of financial crises. The second part will mostly focus on the Great Depression, banking and currency crises (Savings and Loan Crisis; Mexican Financial Crisis and Asian Financial Crisis). The third part focuses on stock market crashes (Dot-Com bubble and Real Estate bubble) as well as sovereign debt crises and international contagions (The Great Recession and European Debt Crisis). Finally, students will be required to prepare a presentation on the COVID-19 recession.