Perhaps there is no other political issue in our contemporary society that is more pertinent, pervasive, and all-encompassing than a nation's economy. From the first coins used in Greece and Asia Minor in the 7th century BC, to the first uses of paper money, history has demonstrated time and again that control of a region's economy is absolutely crucial to maintaining social stability and prosperity. Yet for more than a century scholars have continued to ask why the United States, one of the strongest and most influential countries in the world, has one of the most unstable economies. Although the causes of this economic instability can be attributed to multiple factors, almost all economists agree that they have a common ancestor: the Federal Reserve Bank – the official central bank of the United States. Throughout this article I will attempt to determine whether or not there is a causal relationship between the monetary policies of the Federal Reserve Bank and the decline of the US economy. I will do so through a brief analysis of the history and role of this institution, as well as of the central banking system in general. In turn, I will argue that the Federal Reserve Bank's reckless and intentional manipulation of the economy, through inflation and the abolition of the gold standard, has led to the current economic crisis in the United States. It is critical to understand the historical role of the central bank in the United States. Examining the traditional motivations of this institution over time will help the reader observe a direct correlation between it and its ability to manipulate an economy. To begin, I'll look at one of his central policies... half of the paper... show 26.4: 683-690. JSTOR database. Network. November 18, 2010. Sprague, OMW “The Federal Reserve Act of 1913.” The MIT Press 28.2 (1914): 213-254. JSTOR database. Network. November 18, 2010. Sproul, Allan. "The Gold Question." Vital Talks of the Day 16.4 (1949): 108. Academic research completed. EBSCO. Network. November 18, 2010. United States. Federal Reserve Bank. Frequently asked questions. March 2007. The Federal Reserve Board. Network. December 13, 2010. United States. US Treasury Department. Historical Debt Outstanding – Annual 1791 – 1849. August 2008. Treasury Direct. Network. December 13, 2010.Constitution of the United States. Amendment 10.USdebtclock.org. US National Debt Clock, 2010. Web. 13 December. 2010.