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Great Recession of 2008

Definition

The Great Recession of 2008 refers to a global economic downturn that occurred between 2007 and 2009. It was characterized by a severe financial crisis, decline in housing markets, and high unemployment rates.

Analogy

Imagine you're playing a video game on your phone and suddenly the game crashes, causing you to lose all your progress. That's what happened during the Great Recession - the global economy crashed, causing people to lose their jobs and homes.

Related terms

Subprime Mortgage Crisis: This term refers to the collapse of housing markets due to banks offering loans to borrowers who were not creditworthy.

Financial Derivatives: These are complex financial instruments derived from underlying assets such as mortgages or bonds.

Bailout: A bailout is when the government provides funds or financial support to prevent an institution or industry from collapsing.

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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.