Hst 438 American Economic History: the First Century

The economic background of the War of Independence and the seeds of the Civil War. Industrialization, urbanization, and development of the frontier. Rise of big business and organized labor. Laissez faire, federalism, and the gradual emergence of the national government in economic policy. Changes in foreign trade and in the international position of the U.S. Also offered for graduate-level credit as Hst 538 and may be taken only once for credit. Recommended prerequisites: Ec 201, 202.