The American economy

About this book

This comprehensive compilation of short entries, longer topical essays, and primary source documents chronicles the historical development of the United States from an economic perspective. Few forces have as much impact on history as economics. Economic considerations bring down governments, provoke war, and influence everything from law to education to medicine to social institutions. The Boston Tea Party was as much about economics as about freedom, as was the American Civil War. Understanding these forces is key to understanding American history. Based on a work originally published in 2003, The American Economy: A Historical Encyclopedia, Revised Edition has been thoroughly updated with information on the accounting scandals of the early 2000s and the recession of 2008, including the government stimulus and bailout programs and the recession's impact on key markets. With more than 600 short entries, 31 longer essays, and 32 primary source documents, the encyclopedia spans American history from colonial times to the present. Researchers will discover detailed information on people, events, and government actions that have shaped our economy, with entries on such seminal issues as slavery, migration patterns, the welfare state, the rise of the city, and the development of financial institutions. Throughout, special attention is paid to the interdependence of economics with political, social, and cultural forces. Covering everything from the national debt to monetary policy, law, unemployment, inflation, and government/business relations, this work is the ideal go-to resource for quick answers, in-depth analysis, or direction for further research. - Publisher.