The United States in World History

In this short, accessible introductory survey of the history of the United States from 1790 to the present day, Edward J. Davies examines key themes in the evolution of America from colonial rule to international supremacy. Focusing particularly on those currents within U.S. history that have influenced the rest of the world, this study examines the key themes and concepts that have determined America’s global influence. Offering a new way of examining the United States, this book reveals how concepts that originated in America’s definition of itself as a nation – concepts such as capitalism, republicanism and race – have had supranational impact across the world.

Focusing on three areas, which examine the Atlantic world 1700–1800, the U.S. and the industrial world and the emergence of America as a global power, The United States in World History examines:

• the social and economic systems of the British Atlantic community
• the American Revolution and its international dimensions
• the impact of industrialization on U.S. trade and the emergence of the ‘corporation’ in the nineteenth century
• the expansion of U.S. consumer and cultural industries from the early twentieth century
• the Cold War and its implications for United States economic and political power throughout the globe.

This concise and readable text places the history of the United States in its broadest context and will be invaluable to those studying world history.

The Author

Edward J. Davies, II is an Associate Professor at the University of Utah. He has recently served on the Advisory Board for National Geographic’s world history publication focusing on North America. He has also served on the Executive Committee for the World History Association.