America in 1900

by Kent,Noel J

• ISBN13: 9780765605962
• ISBN10: 0765605961
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2002-08-31
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Many of the key issues concerning the United States as we enter the 21st century were already taking shape as we entered the 20th century. Business mergers, U.S. military intervention (in the Philippines), trade disputes with China and Europe, racial violence, high levels of crime, rising income gaps between rich and poor, volatile stock market prices, homelessness in the cities, the dangers of immigration, and the domination of money in elections -- all these major national issues in 1900 are familiar in some form to Americans today. The nation grappled for the first time with a series of complex new challenges: distribution of wealth and economic opportunity; the form race and ethnic relations should take in a country of increasing diversity; the relationship between big business and government; how the United States, as a new world power, should act overseas; and a host of others. Written in a fluid and highly readable style, Kent's ten chapters comprise a colorful narrative history of the major events of this pivotal year that continues to resonate a centur

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	ix
Introduction	xi
Part I In the Year Double-Zero
New Year's Day 1900	5	(10)
The Invincible Economy	15	(11)
American Dreaming: The Power, the Glory, and the Chaos	26	(23)
Part II Fin de Siecle Dilemmas
Kings of America	49	(14)
The Great Game	63	(15)
Other Americans	78	(16)
White Man's Country	94	(15)
Black in White Man's Country	109	(23)
``A New Power of the First Order''	132	(24)
Of Trusts, Islands, Dinner Pails, and an Election	156	(21)
Epilogue Back to the Future: 1900 and 2000	177	(20)
Notes	197	(20)
Bibliography	217	(12)
Index	229	(14)
About the Author	243