Arranged in chronological order, this textbook examines the institutions and economic activity that led the colonies to their independence, then chronicles the changes in agriculture, transportation, product markets, conditions of labor, and money that took place during each subsequent period. Walton (U. of California-Davis) and Rockoff (Rutgers University) highlight the role of government, the quest for security, and the demographic forces at work. The tenth edition adds boxed discussions that draw explicit analogies between current issues and past experiences.