Tulip Mania: The First Recorded Financial Bubble

The course titled “Tulip Mania: The First Recorded Financial Bubble” dives into the dramatic rise and fall of tulip bulb prices in the Dutch Golden Age, providing students with an engaging study of the world’s first widely acknowledged economic bubble. Covering the period of the early 17th century, this course examines how tulip bulbs evolved from a luxury good to the focus of speculative frenzy, ultimately leading to an exorbitant price bubble and catastrophic crash. Through analysis of economic conditions, social influences, and market psychology, students will explore the mechanisms of speculative bubbles, the impact on the Dutch economy, and the long-term implications for financial markets. The module includes a detailed look at contemporary accounts, economic theories, and modern parallels to other financial bubbles, offering a comprehensive understanding of this historic economic phenomenon.