The Cambridge Economic History of the United States: Volume 1, The Colonial Era: (Cambridge Economic History of the United States)

In the past several decades there has been a significant increase in our knowledge of the economic history of the United States. This three-volume History has been designed to take full account of new knowledge in the subject, while at the same time offering a comprehensive survey of the history of economic activity and change in the United States. This first volume surveys the economic history of British North America, including Canada and the Caribbean, and of the early United States, from early settlement by Europeans to the end of the eighteenth century. The book includes chapters on the economic history of Native Americans (to 1860), and also on the European and African backgrounds to colonization. Subsequent chapters cover the settlement and growth of the colonies, including special surveys of the northern colonies, the southern colonies, and the West Indies (to 1850). Other chapters discuss British mercantilist policies and the American colonies; and the American Revolution, the constitution, and economic developments through 1800. Volumes II and III will cover, respectively, the economic history of the nineteenth century and the twentieth century.

Table of Contents:
Preface; 1. The history of Native Americans from before the arrival of the Europeans and Africans until the American Civil War; 2. The African background to American colonization; 3. The European background; 4. The settlement and growth of the colonies: population, labor, and economic development; 5. The Northern Colonies: economy and society, 1600–1775; 6. Economic and social development of the South; 7. Economic and social development of the British West Indies, from settlement to c. 1850; 8. British mercantilist policies and the American colonies; 9. The revolution, the constitution, and the new nation.

Review :
"...a valuable contribution to the colonial literature and will be a prime reference work." H-Net Book Review "...a valuable addition to any academic library..." Choice "...the volume is a valuable contribution to the colonial literature and will be a prime reference work." Henry A. Gemery, Colby College "Praise must also be extended to the carefully constructed index. The editors and authors are to be congratulated on the production of this excellent volume." Peter Fearon "...this volume of The Cambridge Economic History of the United States has great strengths....The best essays are vigorous syntheses that will engage specialists as well as other readers. Readers with an interest in the economy of early America should make room on their shelves for this book." Marc Egnal, William and Mary Quarterly "A book this good does not just fall together. Engerman and Gallman are to be congratulated for orchestrating the process." Bruce C. Daniels, Canadian Journal of History "Undergraduate teachers of American Economic History who use a standard text in their course will find these essays useful as selected readings on advanced topics. For exceptional students the entire collection would serve well as a basis for a course on early American Economic History." Gary M. Walton, The Journal of Economic Literature "...the various essays are all competent pieces of work." Lewis R. Fischer, The Northern Mariner