# South Sea Bubble collapses (1720)

URL: https://english-history.com/timeline/1720-south-sea-bubble-collapses
Categories: main-event

Speculation in South Sea Company shares ended in a spectacular financial crash. Within the broader Georgian Britain period, parliamentary government, industrialization, imperial expansion, war with France and political reform turned Britain into a global commercial and military power. This event is placed at 1720 in the chronology so it can be read alongside the political, military, social and cultural changes around it. The scandal damaged confidence in government finance and became a lasting symbol of speculative mania.

## Why it matters
The scandal damaged confidence in government finance and became a lasting symbol of speculative mania.

Ruler at the time: [George I](https://english-history.com/rulers/george-i)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia topic lookup — South Sea Bubble collapses](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search?search=South+Sea+Bubble+collapses&go=Go)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — South Sea Bubble collapses](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=South+Sea+Bubble+collapses)
- [Wikipedia — Timeline of British history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_British_history_%281700%E2%80%931799%29)
- [The National Archives — empire and industry resources](https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/education/)