As we enter the second decade of the twenty first century, a new set of pressures are being brought to bear on the American economy and these are spreading in influence to affect the entire international economy itself. The boom of the Clinton and Bush years has been followed by a severe downturn, marked by sub prime loans, corporate and private debt, a low rate of savings and plummeting house prices. This book introduces the contemporary US economy in the light of these changing events and analyzes the historical factors that have led to the current state of affairs. Still a relatively youthful nation, the modern United States has largely provided an astounding economic success story. This book charts the major events of American economic history from a political economy perspective including close discussion of: The antebellum era Slavery and the impact of the Civil War Mass Industrialization The Great Depression The Post War Boom An Introduction to the US Economy will be the ideal textbook for a number of courses, including introduction to the US Economy, political economy and United States Economic History. In addition, it provides a superb overview for the intelligent layman of an ever changing topic.