The Ethnic Dimension in American History

The Ethnic Dimension in American History  is a thorough survey of the role that ethnicity has played in shaping the history of the United States. Considering ethnicity in the sense of race, language, religion, and national origin, this important textbook examines the effects of ethnicity on social relations, public policy, and economic development. Ethnic groups covered in the book include African Americans, Native Americans, and Americans of varied backgrounds from across the globe including Jewish, Chinese, European, Japanese, Muslim, Korean, and Latinos. Examining the period from the first Americans before colonization to the present day, the fourth edition of The Ethnic Dimension in American History has been thoroughly revised and updated to reflect current thinking and recent history, including the impact of 9/11. This book presents ethnicity as a central dynamic in US history. It is not just concerned with the history of immigration, but considers the interaction of ethnic groups with one another, and describes the dynamic processes of acculturation, modernization, and assimilation, which have had such a great impact on the United States throughout its history.

Introduction.

Part I Worlds Collide: Indian People, Africans, and Europeans in Colonial America.

1 The First Americans.

2 The European Migrations.

3 Ethnicity and Manifest Destiny.

4 African Americans in the Early Years.

Conclusion: Ethnic America in 1890.

Part II Ethnic America in Transition, 1890 1945.

5 The Age of the New Immigrants.

6 American Jews.

7 Asian America, 1882 1945.

8 The Nativist Reaction.

9 Native Americans: The Assault on Tribalism.

10 Jim Crow and Ghettos: African Americans.

11 Mexican Americans.

Conclusion: Ethnic America in 1945.

Part III Change and Continuity in Ethnic America, 1945 to the Present.

12 The African Americans.

13 The Latino Mosaic.

14 Asian Americans in the Modern World.

15 The Newest Arrivals.

16 Native Americans in the Modern World.

17 White Ethnics in Modern America.

Conclusion: Ethnic America in 2010.

Selected Readings.

Index.

James S. Olson  is Distinguished Professor of History at Sam Houston State University, Texas, where he has been honored with the university s Excellence in Teaching and Excellence in Research Awards. He is the author, co–author, editor or co–editor of over 30 books. His book Bathsheba s Breast: Women, Cancer, and History (2002) won the History of Science Category Award from the Association of American Publishers and was recognized by the Los Angeles Times as one of the best non–fiction books in America for 2002. Heather Olson Beal is Assistant Professor of Secondary Education and Educational Leadership at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas.