Professor Hannah Greig and Ellie Cawthorne revisit the world’s first major financial crash: the South Sea Bubble of 1720

In 1720, would-be speculators were in a frenzy over an irresistible new investment opportunity. Everyone from bankers and barons to ordinary housewives rushed to buy South Sea Company stock, sold on the idea that this was a get-rich-quick scheme that couldn’t go wrong. But, before long, the bubble burst. In this episode of History’s Greatest Scandals, Professor Hannah Greig and Ellie Cawthorne uncover a story of greed, risk and delusion in the world’s first major financial crash.

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This episode was hosted by Ellie Cawthorne and produced by Jack Bateman.

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The crash the bankrupted Britain

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