Department of Economics

Course: Introduction to Economic History

Code: HIS101

Semester: A & B

Instructor: E. Bournova, M. Riginos

1. The 15^th -18^th century period

The economic, social and demographic traits of  pre-industrial Europe.

The rise of commercial capitalism. Pre-industrial and proto-industrial forms of production. Origins of the industrial revolution. Economic transformations in Europe during 16^th and 17^th century: The transfer of the economic expansion center from Mediterranean sea to the North sea and the North Atlantic.

2. The Industrial Revolution.

Cotton  Industry and the Railways. The results of the Industrial Revolution. Factory system and the growth of the proletariat.

The liberal period 1850-1875. Laisser-faire in industry and the great Boom. Economic unification of the World. Social changes (city, industry, working class).

Bourgeoisie. Agriculture 1750-1875.

3. The 1875-1914 period.

The great depression 1875-1890. Protectionism and state regulation. Imperialism and the appearance of the international rivalries. The second industrial revolution - economic and social consequences. Mass production and mass market. The scientific organization of labor (taylorism-fordism). The land 1850-1914.

Text Book:

Robert L. Heilbroner William Milberg, The Making of Economic Society, Pearson Education 2008.