History of American Business

Unit 1 – Colonial Commerce and Mercantilism

Unit 2 – American Revolution: Economic Independence

Unit 3 – Early American Industry & Manufacturing

Unit 4 – Transportation Revolution in America

Unit 5 – Industrial Revolution & Mass Production

Unit 6 – Rise of Big Business & Monopolies

Unit 7 – The Gilded Age: Rise of Laissez-Faire Capitalism

Unit 8 – Progressive Era: Business Regulation

Unit 9 – WWI and the Roaring 20s Economy

Unit 10 – The Great Depression and New Deal

Unit 11 – World War II: Economic Impact on America

Unit 12 – Post-War Boom & Consumer Culture

Unit 13 – Cold War & Military-Industrial Complex

Unit 14 – 1970s Energy Crisis and Stagflation

Unit 15 – Reagan Era: Free Market Revival

Unit 16 – Digital Revolution: The 1990s New Economy

Unit 17 – Globalization & Multinational Corporations

Unit 18 – Great Recession and 2008 Financial Crisis

Unit 19 – American Business: Current Challenges

Unit 20 – American Business in the Global Future

## What do you learn in History of American Business

You'll explore the evolution of American business from colonial times to the present. The course covers key industries, influential entrepreneurs, economic policies, technological innovations, and how they shaped the U.S. economy. You'll analyze major events like the Industrial Revolution, Great Depression, and globalization, and their impact on business practices and strategies.

## Is History of American Business hard?

It's not typically considered a super tough class, but it does require a good amount of reading and memorization. The concepts aren't too complex, but there's a lot of information to absorb. If you're into history or business, you'll probably find it interesting and easier to grasp. The trickiest part is often connecting historical events to their business implications.

## Tips for taking History of American Business in college

1. Use [Fiveable Study Guides](https://fiveable.me/cram-mode) to help you cram 🌶️
2. Create a timeline of major events and business developments
3. Focus on understanding cause-and-effect relationships between historical events and business trends
4. Pay attention to key figures like Rockefeller, Carnegie, and Ford
5. Watch documentaries like "The Men Who Built America" for visual context
6. Read business biographies for deeper insights (e.g., "Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr.")
7. Connect historical business practices to modern-day examples
8. Form a study group to discuss and debate different economic periods

## Common pre-requisites for History of American Business

1. Introduction to Microeconomics: This course covers basic economic principles, supply and demand, and market structures. It provides a foundation for understanding business decisions.

2. U.S. History Survey: This class offers a broad overview of American history, helping students contextualize business developments. It covers political, social, and economic changes from colonial times to the present.

## Classes similar to History of American Business

1. Economic History of the United States: Focuses on the economic development of America, including factors like immigration, industrialization, and government policies. It provides a more numbers-based approach to historical analysis.

2. Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility: Examines ethical issues in business decisions throughout history and in modern times. It often includes case studies of historical business practices and their consequences.

3. Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Explores the history of American innovation and entrepreneurship. It covers famous inventors, start-up stories, and how new ideas have shaped the business landscape.

4. Globalization and International Business: Looks at the evolution of international trade and how American businesses have expanded globally. It often includes historical context for current global business practices.

## Majors related to History of American Business

1. Business Administration: Covers a broad range of business topics including management, finance, marketing, and operations. Students learn to apply historical lessons to modern business strategies.

2. Economics: Focuses on the study of resource allocation, production, and consumption in society. Students analyze historical economic trends and policies to understand current economic issues.

3. American Studies: Examines various aspects of American culture, including business and economic history. Students explore how business has shaped and been shaped by American society and values.

4. History: Provides a comprehensive study of past events and their significance. Students specializing in American history often delve deep into business and economic developments.

## What can you do with a degree in History of American Business?

1. Business Analyst: Analyzes business practices and market trends to help companies make informed decisions. They often use historical data and patterns to predict future trends and recommend strategies.

2. Management Consultant: Advises businesses on how to improve their operations and efficiency. They draw on historical business models and strategies to solve contemporary problems.

3. Museum Curator (Business History): Manages collections and exhibits related to business history. They research, interpret, and present historical business artifacts and stories to the public.

4. Economic Policy Advisor: Helps shape economic policies for government agencies or think tanks. They use historical economic data and case studies to inform current policy decisions.

## History of American Business FAQs

1. How relevant is this course to modern business practices? While it focuses on history, the course provides valuable insights into how businesses adapt to changing environments, which is crucial for understanding today's business world.

2. Are there any group projects in this class? Many professors include group projects where students analyze a specific company's history or a particular era of American business, but it varies by instructor.

3. How much math is involved in this course? The class typically doesn't require advanced math skills. You'll work with some basic statistics and economic data, but it's more focused on understanding trends and concepts than complex calculations.

History

1.1 British Mercantile System and Colonial Trade

1.2 Development of Colonial Industries and Agriculture

1.3 Currency and Banking in Colonial America

1.4 Labor Systems: Indentured Servitude and Slavery

2.3 Post-Revolutionary Economic Challenges and Solutions

2.2 Wartime Economy and Financing the Revolution

2.1 Economic Causes of the American Revolution

3.1 Early Industrialization and the Factory System

3.2 Textile Industry and the American System of Manufacturing

3.3 Innovation and Technological Advancements

3.4 Labor in Early American Industry

4.1 Development of Canals and Waterways

4.4 Transportation's Role in Market Integration

4.3 Railroad Expansion and Economic Impact

4.2 Steamboat Technology and River Commerce

5.1 Technological Innovations and Industrial Growth

5.2 Rise of Mass Production and the Assembly Line

5.3 Urbanization and the Growth of Industrial Cities

5.4 Labor Movements and Working Conditions

6.1 Emergence of Corporate Structures and Management

6.4 Robber Barons and Industrial Tycoons

6.2 Vertical and Horizontal Integration

6.3 Monopolies and Trusts in Key Industries

7.1 Economic Policies and Political Influence in the Gilded Age

7.2 Social Darwinism and Its Impact on Business

7.3 Labor Unrest and Major Strikes

7.4 Immigration and Its Effect on the Labor Market

8.3 Consumer Protection and Food Safety Regulations

8.4 Labor Reforms and Workers' Rights

8.1 Muckrakers and Public Awareness of Business Practices

8.2 Antitrust Legislation and Enforcement

9.1 War Industries and Economic Mobilization

9.2 Post-War Economic Boom and New Industries

9.3 Consumer Culture and Mass Marketing

9.4 Stock Market Speculation and Financial Innovations

10.1 Causes and Economic Impact of the Great Depression

10.2 New Deal Programs and Their Effects on Business

10.3 Banking and Financial Sector Reforms

10.4 Labor Relations and Union Growth

11.1 Economic Mobilization and War Production

11.3 Technological Advancements and Their Post-War Impact

11.4 Changes in Labor Force and Women in the Workplace

11.2 Government-Business Cooperation during Wartime

12.1 Economic Growth and the American Middle Class

12.2 Suburban Development and Its Economic Impact

12.3 Rise of Franchising and Service Industries

12.4 Marketing and Advertising in the Television Age

13.2 Space Race and Technological Innovation

13.3 Rise of the Military-Industrial Complex

13.4 Impact of Cold War Policies on International Trade

13.1 Defense Spending and Its Economic Effects

14.1 Oil Embargo and Energy Dependency

14.2 Stagflation and Its Causes

14.3 Decline of Traditional Manufacturing Industries

14.4 Emergence of Environmental Regulations

15.1 Reaganomics and Supply-Side Economic Policies

15.2 Deregulation and Its Impact on Various Industries

15.3 Mergers and Acquisitions Wave

15.4 Changing Labor Relations and Union Decline

16.4 Dot-com Boom and Bust

16.3 Telecommunications Industry Transformation

16.1 Rise of Personal Computing and the Internet

16.2 E-commerce and Digital Business Models

17.1 Trade Agreements and Economic Integration

17.2 Offshoring and Global Supply Chains

17.3 Rise of Multinational Corporations

17.4 Impact of Globalization on American Workers and Industries

18.1 Causes of the Financial Crisis

18.2 Government Response and Bailouts

18.3 Impact on Various Sectors of the Economy

18.4 Regulatory Reforms in the Aftermath

19.1 Gig Economy and Changing Nature of Work

19.2 Corporate Social Responsibility and Stakeholder Capitalism

19.3 Income Inequality and Wage Stagnation

19.4 Technological Disruption and Industry Transformation

20.3 Challenges and Opportunities in the Global Economy

20.1 Emerging Technologies and Their Potential Impact

20.4 Future of American Innovation and Competitiveness

20.2 Sustainability and Green Business Practices

Browse all History of American Business Key Terms

About Us

Resources

Stay Connected

© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

About Us

Resources

© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

Back

Next