John J. McCusker

Institute of Early American History and Culture (Williamsburg, Va.)

Russell R. Menard

By the American Revolution, the farmers and city-dwellers of British America had achieved, individually and collectively, considerable prosperity. The nature and extent of that success are still unfolding. In this first comprehensive assessment of where research on prerevolutionary economy stands, what it seeks to achieve, and how it might best proceed, the authors discuss those areas in which traditional work remains to be done and address new possibilities for a 'new economic history.'

The Economy of British America, 1607-1789

McCusker (history, economics, Trinity University) presents a consistent commodity price index useful for converting prices from any time in the American past, as far back as 1665, to their comparable value in today's dollars. In an introduction, he explores the theory and practice behind the constru

A Historical Commodity Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States

How Much is that in Real Money?

Kenneth O. Morgan

Kenneth Morgan

The Early Modern Atlantic Economy

Silvia Marzagalli

James R. Sofka

This study analyses the presence of American ships, merchants, and interests in the Mediterranean region in the first decades following the independence of the United States, and seeks to understand whether or not the English, Dutch, Scandinavians, and Americans invaded the region and its shipping industry in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. It considers the following topics: the benefit of American neutrality during the French Revolutionary wars which enabled the growth of their shipping activities; the organisation of protection for American ships post-independence, particularly from Barbary privateers; the diplomatic efforts of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson and the relationships of convenience fostered by American powers when requesting European assistance; the development of American consular services to assist merchants and captains; the avoidance of incidents through peace and commercial treaties through to ship seizures and crew enslavement; and the impact of the Tripolitanian War (or Barbary War) on American-Mediterranean shipping. The works in this volume attempt to determine whether or not these actions can be considered an 'invasion'. They explore the mutually beneficial aspects of American-Mediterranean trade whilst also considering the strength of the Mediterranean trade (particularly Greek) prior to American interference. It concludes by confirming the dual objectives of the American presence - to ensure open markets for their goods, and to enhance their political and military power against British, French, and North African regencies.

American Involvement with the Mediterranean in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries

Rough Waters

John J. McCusker

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