Quote from achilles28:
My pleasure.
The US chartered several Central Banks prior to the Federal Reserve.
These Banks were responsible for issuing part of the Nations Money Supply using Fractional Reserve lending.
Other Private Banks, prior to the FED, were given authority, periodically, to engage in fractional reserve lending, as well.
The result was a patchwork of private and National Banks that controlled the nations money supply, creating far too much or too little credit, resulting in the booms and busts experienced prior to 1913.
Research money supply changes prior to the FED. You'll see the same thing - up 65% in 3 years, down 60% in 6 years.
It was the same Game, just the players were more diffuse.