The Industrial Revolution: Key Themes and Documents

(Hardback)

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This concise guide zooms in on the period of American history known as the Industrial Revolution, from its earliest beginnings in the mid-18th century to just after the First World War. This book is a concise reference source on the era in American history known as the Industrial Revolutiona period characterized by urbanization, mass immigration, organization of labor, and an immense gap between wealthy industrialists and the poor. It serves as an ideal resource for students preparing to take the AP U.S. history exam as well as being useful to undergraduates and anyone interested in this important period. Using encyclopedic entries on important events, key people, and trends of the time, the era is examined through the exploration of key themes such as agriculture, business, economy, finance, labor, and politics. Other features of the book include sample documents-based essay questions, rigorous thematic tagging of encyclopedic entries, a detailed chronology, and primary source documentsall of which guide readers through the material and aid in their comprehension of the Industrial Revolution's historical significance. Content covers factories, mass production, the progressive movement, muckrakers, populists, laissez-faire economics, social Darwinism, and robber barons, among other topics.

Reviews

This well-ordered, readable reference work by Olsen (Sam Houston State Univ.) encourages examination and understanding of events that led to large-scale change during the era. . . . The volume, also available as an ebook, is a handy resource for high school AP history students and all who wish to study industrialization as it played out on the domestic front. Summing Up: Recommended. Lower-division undergraduates; general readers. * Choice *

Author Bio

James S. Olson, PhD, is distinguished professor of history at Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX. Shannon L. Kenny is the proprietor of a Santa Barbara-based editorial and writing services agency specializing in history, lifestyle, and travel.