3
Examples from
Whaples
“Where Is There Consensus Among American Economic Historians?”
Some
of our current ideas about American economic history are based on
interpretation and analysis of the information which has survived. Some of these interpretations are still
matters of debate among economic historians, while for others a substantial
consensus has been reached. A survey[1] of economic historians and historians can
help us see where there is general consensus and where there is continued
debate.
Here
A indicates strong agreement with the statement. P indicates agreement, but with provisions. D indicates disagreement. The numbers below the letters indicate the
number of those surveyed with that response.
|
A |
P |
D |
Statement |
|
164 |
28 |
8 |
The economic standard of living of
white Americans on the eve of the Revolution was among the highest in the
world. |
|
149 |
32 |
20 |
Indentured servitude was an
institutional response to a capital market imperfection. It enabled prospective migrants to borrow
against their future earnings in order to pay for the high cost of passage to
America. |
|
15 |
53 |
132 |
Eighteenth-century rural farmers in the
North were isolated from the market. |