John Steele Gordon's ten major eras of American economic development

¶ … John Steele Gordon considers the unique combination of events and persons that brought about the United States and its powerful economy, for which the country is known today. Specifically, the author describes ten major eras in the history of the United States, focusing on the economic and business developments that even today contribute to the country's prosperity. As such, the article describes the rise of the United States from a weak, pioneering economy in 1789 to the world power it is today. Some of the major events and person Gordon describes include Alexander Hamilton, the pioneering and brilliant secretary of the treasury who began his work in 1789, the rise and revolution of the cotton industry, auto mechanics and the steam industry, Thomas Edison, the car industry, and the computer industry. Each development contributed in its own right to the rapidly rising economy, and indeed to the country's recovery from the Depression during the 1930's. The greatest and fastest development yet is that of computers and the Internet, having vast economic and social repercussions not only for the United States, but indeed for the world in general.

In the study of history, an article like Gordon's is extremely important in a variety of ways. When examining aspects of history in such a linear way, it becomes easy to identify mistakes and problems arising from certain events and actions, for example. In this way, linier history can be used as a lesson for future events and actions, and the cliche that "history repeats itself" might become less likely. On the other hand, the sound decisions and developments made during the examined period can also be used to replicate for future success.