Breaking news:

"Stock prices plummet dramatically! A unprecedented crash unfolds at Wall Street, leaving companies in disarray and banks teetering on the brink of collapse. The full extent of the shockwave is yet to be realized. Across the United States, American citizens face uncertainty and fear grips the nation. The mood is ominous."

A letter from the government

Dear Crisis Managers,

The United States Government reaches out to you in this grave hour with an urgent message. Our nation is engulfed in an ever-deepening recession. The catastrophic stock market crash has brought our economy to its knees and shattered the trust of the American people in our financial system.

Bank accounts are depleted, businesses are closing their doors forever, and millions of Americans are losing their jobs and means of livelihood. The streets are filled with the despair of those who have lost everything. An atmosphere of uncertainty and fear threatens to tear apart the social fabric of our country.

In this dark hour, we place all our hope in you, our capable and wise crisis managers. You embody the last chance we have to lead this nation out of the abyss. But before you can undertake this honorable task, you must prove to us that you are up to the challenge.

We therefore urge you to thoroughly investigate the causes of this crisis and to find a sought-after numerical code. This task will test your analytical skills, your acumen, and your resolve. Only if you master this challenge will you be granted the opportunity to save our country and receive a rich reward.

Your decisions must be prudent and insightful. The future of our nation depends on your ability to take the right actions amidst uncertainty and chaos. Show us that you are the leaders we need in this emergency.

With grave regards,

The Government

💡 Info

The government representative is so upset that he hurriedly lets you into the office and immediately disappears again. As you look around, you discover a few clues that could shed light on the causes of the crisis. These include a newspaper article, a note, a letter and a message on the answering machine. Examine the clues carefully to understand the background to the crisis and to be able to determine the numerical code at the end.

Concerns About Banking Practices

Esteemed Government,

As an economic analyst during these tumultuous times, I am compelled to express my grave concerns regarding the banking system's reckless lending practices as elucidated in recent observations. The eagerness of banks to exploit the ongoing economic boom has led to a perilous environment where loans are extended without due diligence concerning borrowers' repayment capabilities. This imprudence has significantly contributed to the inflation of the speculative bubble, particularly within the stock market.

The ramifications of these practices are deeply troubling. As stock prices inevitably plummet, the ensuing wave of loan defaults has precipitated widespread bank failures. Such failures are not just isolated financial mishaps; they are systemic risks that threaten the very foundation of our economy. The resultant contraction of credit availability poses dire consequences, stifling business operations and leaving consumers in financial distress.

It is imperative that immediate measures be taken to restore prudent risk management within our financial institutions. The establishment of stringent lending standards and rigorous borrower assessments must be prioritized to prevent further destabilization. Moreover, the government should consider implementing oversight mechanisms to ensure compliance and safeguard against future crises.

The urgency of addressing these structural weaknesses cannot be overstated. Our economy's resilience and recovery depend on decisive action and robust safeguards to prevent recurrence.

With utmost regard,

James Harrington

🔊 A message on an answering machine.

Super! You've found out how the crisis came about and deciphered the code. You get the job and receive a deposit.

The country is now in a deep recession/depression and needs your help more than ever. You are given the contact details of various economic players affected by the crisis. Get in touch with them and use your economic expertise to improve their economic situation and lead the country out of the crisis.

📝 To solve the people's problems, make notes for each sector. Record the notes in the table.

Solution

💡 Info

Now you know the problems and get to work. At a team meeting, you have collected ideas for solutions in a mind map. As the team leader, however, it is now up to you to work on the notes so that they can be shown to the government. Create a proposal for an economic stimulus package by working through the tasks.

Great! You've done it and selected the right measures. The government implements your proposals. As a result, you bring the country into the upswing phase and things finally start to pick up again. You receive the promised fee.

💡 Info

Great, you got the country out of the crisis and the government was able to adopt rescue measures thanks to you.

The government is so enthusiastic about your work that it asks you to record your findings on the various phases of the economic cycle in order to better prepare the country for future crises. Complete the last assignment and you will receive a bonus.

You made it and completed all the tasks!