American economic policies affect everyday life from the cost of an education to the ability of individuals to buy the goods and services they need. The Federal Reserve System, or central bank of the United States, regulates the nation’s money supply. In concert with government fiscal policy, this monetary regulation aims to safeguard the country against financial instability, smooth the business cycle, and protect individuals from the effects of economic recession.

You will be assigned topics that reflect issues surrounding the economic policies of the United States. Use what you have learned to write a Research Report addressing the impact of U. S. fiscal and monetary policies on domestic life, as well as on international trade and business. To prepare your report, you will research topics such as fiscal policies related to agriculture and Social Security, and monetary policies that influence consumer spending and international trade.

Look at the Tours Through Time below. Answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper.

From seashells to credit cards, money has taken different forms throughout history.

• How has money evolved over time?
• What factors might cause economic instability in a society?

Use the Daily Life through History articles listed on the right to research the role of government fiscal policy as well as the monetary policy of the Federal Reserve System in shaping domestic and international economic life. Examine the Tours Through Time. As you read, keep your topic in mind. Remember that your thesis statement will need to be supported by specific facts and historical examples from your readings.

Use the 2-Column Table to organize your information. Write Fiscal Policies and Monetary Policies as headings. Fill in the remaining boxes with specific facts and details that link fiscal policies to Social Security and agriculture, and Federal Reserve policies to consumer spending patterns, interest rates and banking practices, and international trade.

As you write your Research Report, make sure you have organized your points clearly and that your essay follows a logical and coherent structure. In addition to the assigned topics, you may wish to examine the direct impact of economic policies on your own life.

Your teacher will use these questions to assess your performance:

• Did you include a clear thesis statement?
• Did you provide specific details to support your main idea?
• Did you organize your report clearly?
• Did you follow rules of grammar and style?