An Economic History of the American Steel Industry Routledge Explorations in Economic History Series

This book provides a basic outline of the history of the American steel industry, a sector of the economy that has been an important part of the industrial system. The book starts with the 1830's, when the American iron and steel industry resembled the traditional iron producing sector that had existed in the old world for centuries, and it ends in 2001. The product of this industry, steel, is an alloy of iron and carbon that has become the most used metal in the world. The very size of the steel industry and its position in the modern economy give it an unusual relevance to the economic, social, and political system.

Introduction 2. The Early History: 1830 to 1860 3. The Great Take-Off: 1860 to 1900 4. Growth and Consolidation (Steel 1900-1920) 5. The Twenties 6. The Thirties 7. Steel and World War II 8. The Post-War Period, 1946-1970 9. Troubled Times, 1971-1989 10. Uneasy Stability, 1990-2001 11. Conclusion