European powers predominated world politics till the World War-I through their military strength, colonial wealth and favourable trade and commerce. But after this devastating armogeddon, the power and predominance of the European powers waned and gradually there was the growth of two new power centres namely the USSR and the USA. In the Western capitalistic world the USA emerged as a leading power and for the past one hundred years (1918-2018), it remained so with its military arsenal and material prosperity through industrial advancement. During the World War-II, the USA played a decisive role in defeating the Axis powers predominated by fascist and imperialist forces. It brought to an end the Japanese hegemony in the Far East and silenced the world by dropping atom bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. After World War-II, a new world order emerged. This new world order was characterized by the declining of imperialism and liberation of Asiatic and African countries, the establishment of communistic government in China and the growth of a bipolar world with the USA and USSR as two super powers. The aftermath of the second world war was predominated by cold war scenario and race of armaments. The world was divided into two power blocs under NATO and Warshaw Pact. The third world countries mostly followed a policy of non-aligned by not aligning with any power bloc.
The present text book is prepared taking into account of the CBCS courses specified for the history honours students as Discipline Specific Elective (DSE). In DSE, the history of the USA (1776-1945) has two papers, and in this book, we have dealt with the chapters specified for DSE- Paper-I. For the convenience of the students, boxes are inserted to clarify certain fundamental terminologies as well as issues. In the introductory chapter vivid description has been made on the physical features and demography of colonial America. Discussions are also made on the settlement pattern and colonisation process in America. Social structure and political features of the then America are also discussed. Subsequent chapters deal with topics like American war of independence and making of American constitution.
Development of Federalism, Jeffersonianism and Jacksonianism, growth of political parties, American judiciary and Supreme Court are also included in the body of this book. The problems of the blacks and women are also discussed. Under the caption of capitalism, we have discussed various stages of industrialisation, immigration problem, labour issues and labour movement in the USA. Before discussing the civil war, due narrative has been given on plantation economy, slave society, slave resistance and the growth of republicanism. Chapters are also added to highlight the issues of civil war, emancipation of slaves and the personality of Abraham Lincoln.
Contents –
1. North America — Land and Indigenous People European Settlements and Colonisation
2. Early Colonial Society, Economy and Politics
3. American Revolution and American War of Independence
4. Making of American Constitution
5. Evolution of American Democracy
6. Industrialisation, Immigration and Labour Movements
7. The Agrarian South, Plantation Economy, Civil War and Emancipation of Slaves
8. Abraham Lincoln
