The Ethnic Dimension In American History 4E

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 terms of race, language, religion and national origin, this important text examines its effects on social relations, public policy and economic development.
A thorough survey of the role that ethnicity has played in shaping the history of the United States, including the effects of ethnicity on social relations, public policy and economic development
Includes histories of a wide range of ethnic groups including African Americans, Native Americans, Jews, Chinese, Europeans, Japanese, Muslims, Koreans, and Latinos
Examines the interaction of ethnic groups with one another and the dynamic processes of acculturation, modernization, and assimilation; as well as the history of immigration
Revised and updated material in the fourth edition reflects current thinking and recent history, bringing the story up to the present and including the impact of 9/11

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.

“A rich and rewarding account of the disparate ethnic and religious groups that shaped this nation’s history and culture—African, Caribbean, Chinese, Irish, Italian Japanese, Jewish, Mexican, Native American, Polish, Puerto Rican, among others—this eloquent and moving book explains how American society has evolved out of a complex process of migration, social conflict, cultural contention, and mutual discovery.”
Steven Mintz, Columbia University
“This new edition of The Ethnic Dimension is a highly readable exploration of the experiences of the diversity of peoples that have populated the United States since colonial times. Kudos to the authors for producing a volume so sweeping in scope and, in places, controversial in its interpretations. . . . Deserves a wide readership. . . . Highly recommended.”
James Kirby Martin,University of Houston
“This new edition of Ethnic Dimensions retains all of the virtues that made its predecessors an invaluable introductory text — clear and engaging prose, well-chosen vignettes, comprehensive coverage, and a persuasive thesis that ethnic and racial diversity is a primary path to understanding U.S. History.”
John F. McClymer, Assumption College

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.