Economic historians of the present day must look back to the relative importance of their field in the undergraduate and graduate training of economists back in the day with some envy. U.S. economic history was an constitutive part of the educational mission of the department in 1911-12.
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Earlier Harvard courses
on U.S. economic history
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Course Description
1911-12
6b 2hf. Economic and Financial History of the United States. Halfcourse (second half-year). Tu., Th., and (at the pleasure of the instructor) Sat., at 9. Professor [Edwin F.] Gay, assisted by Mr. [Julius] Klein.
The following are among the subjects considered: aspects of the Revolution and commercial relations during the Confederation and the European wars; the history of the protective tariff policy and the growth of manufacturing industries; the settlement of the West and the history of transportation, including the early canal and turnpike enterprises of the states, the various phases of railway building and the establishment of public regulation of railways; banking and currency experiences; various aspects of agrarian history, such as the public land policy, the growth of foreign demand for American produce and the subsequent competition of other sources of supply; certain social topics, such as slavery and its economic basis, and the effects of immigration.
It is open to students who have passed in Economics 1, and, with the consent of the instructor, to all students except Freshmen who are taking Economics 1.
Source: Division of History, Government, and Economics: 1911-12 (1st ed.). Official Register of Harvard University, Vol. VIII, No. 23 (June 15, 1911), p. 61.
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Course Enrollment
1911-12
Economics 6b 2hf. Professor [Edwin F.] Gay, assisted by Mr. [Julius] Klein. — Economic and Financial History of the United States.
Total 94: 19 Graduates, 11 Seniors, 48 Juniors, 12 Sophomores, 3 Freshmen, 1 Other.
Source: Harvard University. Report of the President of Harvard College, 1911-1912, p. 64.
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ECONOMICS 6b
Year-end Final Examination
1911-1912
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- Discuss this statement:
“Peel’s prophecy that the English policy of Free Trade would be followed by other nations was upset by the American Civil War . . . American protection, the mother of Trusts, is the daughter of war.” (MacGregor, Evolution of Industry).
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- Give a survey of American tariff history during the period 1880–1910 with particular reference to its connection with agriculture, foreign commerce, labor problems, and finance.
- Analyze the causes, symptoms, and results of the periods of discontent in American agricultural history.
- Outline the labor history of the United States since 1870.
- Comment on the following passage from President Taft’s message to Congress, December 7, 1911: “I need hardly reiterate the conviction that there should speedily be built up an American merchant marine. This is necessary to assure favorable transportation facilities to our great ocean-borne commerce as well as to supplement the navy with an adequate reserve of ships and men. It would have the economic advantage of keeping at home part of the vast sums now paid foreign shipping for carrying American goods. All the great commercial nations pay heavy subsidies to their merchant marine, so that it is obvious that without some wise aid from Congress, the United States must lag behind in the matter of merchant marine.”
- Criticise the following statement from Callender: “Perhaps the most striking peculiarity of American expansion is the insignificance of government intervention.”
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- Outline the important points of difference between the woollen and cotton industries. Is there any explanation for this difference in the economic history of the two industries in the United States?
- It is asserted that the jobber of American cotton goods is disappearing. Is this true, and, if so, why? How far do you think the tendencies in this staple industry are found in the distribution of other commodities?
Questions seven and eight are for graduate students who have not taken the half-hour tests.
- Sherman’s place in the economic history of the United States.
- Give a list of books with brief critical estimates on two of the following topics in this course: agriculture, banking, transportation, labor.
Source: Harvard University Archives. Harvard University — Examination papers, 1873-1915. Box 6. Bound volume, Examination Papers, 1912. Harvard University Examinations. Papers Set For Examinations in History, History of Science, Government, Economics […], pp. 51-52.
Economic History Materials
Posted Earlier
Economic History of the United States
1901-02. Economics 6. Economic History of the United States. [O.M.W. Sprague and J.H. Patten]
1902-03. Economics 6. Economic History of the United States. [O.M.W. Sprague]
1903-04. Economics 6. Economic History of the United States. [O.M.W. Sprague]
1904-05. Economics 6. Economic and Financial History of the United States. [O.M.W. Sprague]
1905-06. Economics 6. Economic and Financial History of the United States [with Frank W. Taussig]
1906-07. Economics 6b. Economic and Financial History of the United States. [E.F. Gay]
1907-08. Economics 6b. Economic and Financial History of the United States. [E.F. Gay]
1908-09. European and U.S. Economic History. Reading Lists and Exams. [E.F. Gay]
1909-10. European and U.S. Economic History. Reading Lists and Exams. [E.F. Gay and H.L. Gray]
1910-11. Economic and Financial History of the U.S. [Gay and Klein]. Including reading list.
Image Source: Harvard Business School, Baker Library, Special Collections & Archives webpage “Boston Manufacturing Company”.