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S7 E5: A New Thing in Human History
Jul 17, 2024
Experts in American history, economics, and the impact of capitalism discuss the rise of a new capitalist order in the United States. They explore how the country overtook its parent in wealth, the economic motivations of the American Revolution, the ruthless capitalists of the Gilded Age, the accelerated rate of technological progress, and the impact of the Industrial Revolution on society.
50:06
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Quick takeaways
- Economic motives were significant in the American Revolution, driven by wealthy colonists' interests in land ownership and African labor.
- The construction of railroads in 19th-century America involved diverse labor, with Chinese immigrants facing exploitation and low wages.
Deep dives
The Formation of American Capitalism in the 18th Century
In the 18th century, amidst the American Revolution, economic motives played a significant role. Wealthy American colonists like Washington, Franklin, and Jefferson, primarily revolted against the British crown for economic reasons. Historians suggest that economic interests, such as owning lands from indigenous people and utilizing enslaved African labor, were crucial drivers of the American Revolution. The American revolutionaries aimed to continue business ventures initiated by the British Empire.
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