The document compares the 2008 global financial crisis to the 2020 global crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. It outlines the causes and effects of each crisis. The 2008 crisis was preceded by a real estate boom and easy credit access that led to risky lending practices. When housing prices fell, many loans defaulted causing widespread bankruptcies. The 2020 crisis was triggered by the global COVID-19 pandemic that shut down travel, tourism, and manufacturing industries worldwide and caused stock market crashes across the globe. Both crises led to high unemployment rates and slowed global trade and economic activity.