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Each scenario gives you the facts and a policy change or shock. Predict which way the economy moves — then play it out and see if you were right. Some are simulated; some are real history.
The Fed Raises Rates
Inflation is running a bit hot. The Federal Reserve decides to raise its policy interest rate sharply to cool the economy down.
🎛️ Simulation BeginnerBig Government Stimulus
Congress passes a large spending bill to build roads, bridges and broadband, without raising taxes to pay for it.
🎛️ Simulation IntermediateOil Price Shock
War in an oil-producing region cuts global supply. Oil and energy prices jump 120%.
🎛️ Simulation IntermediateA Pandemic Hits
A severe pandemic forces businesses to close and people to stay home. Confidence collapses.
🎛️ Simulation IntermediatePrinting Money
A government pressures its central bank to create money to pay its bills. The money supply grows 40% per year.
🎛️ Simulation BeginnerAcross-the-Board Tax Cut
Congress cuts taxes significantly but does not cut spending.
🎛️ Simulation AdvancedEasy Credit Housing Boom
Banks loosen lending standards dramatically, offering mortgages to almost anyone, while the Fed keeps rates low.
🎛️ Simulation IntermediateA Tariff War
The country raises tariffs on all imports to 25%, and trading partners retaliate, slowing the global economy.
📜 Real history AdvancedHistory: The Volcker Shock (1979–1982)
August 1979: inflation is above 11% and rising. New Fed Chair Paul Volcker decides to crush inflation, pushing interest rates toward 20%.
📜 Real history BeginnerHistory: After the 1929 Crash
October 1929: the stock market crashes. Banks begin to fail, and the Fed does little to stop the money supply from shrinking.
📜 Real history IntermediateHistory: The 2020 Pandemic Recession
February 2020: COVID-19 spreads. States issue stay-at-home orders. Congress passes the $2.2 trillion CARES Act and the Fed cuts rates to zero.
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