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Review
| A Population History of the United States, by Herbert S. Klein. Cambridge, United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press, 2004, 300 pages, $65.00, hardback; $22.00, paper.
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| The topics of American demographic change, population migration, and immigration patterns have been extensively studied by many prominent and prestigious historians. There has long existed a need for a comprehensive, concise one-volume survey of the demographic history of the United States. Herbert S. Klein, Gouverneur Morris Professor of History at Columbia University, has met that need with his A Population History of the United States. Klein begins his survey with a study of pre-Columbian American Indian population distribution and density, then delves into the impact of early European settlement. Considerable attention is given to the disparate societies that evolved in the New England, Chesapeake, and Middle Atlantic regions. He also traces the growth of the slave population during the colonial period, which he attributes primarily to natural birth. The post-revolutionary period is characterized as a period of declining fertility, balanced by the beginnings of a mass influx of European immigration and a rather stable mortality rate. Although the birth rate is declining, it still remains high enough to be the main factor in a doubling of the nation's population approximately every two decades. This pattern is also reflected in the population of African slaves. Klein also details migratory patterns, both to the western frontier regions and from rural to urban areas. The second half of the 19th century and early 20th Century continue the pattern of fertility, increased international immigration and the exodus from rural to urban areas, especially to large metropolitan centers. One of the most acute observations that Klein makes is the phenomenon of initial high birth rates among immigrant births, followed by a decline in fertility as second and third generations adopt the lower fertility rates of the dominant middle class ethos. The most dramatic development in population patterns in the first half of the 20th century is the decline in mortality rates, especially in children, with a corresponding growth in younger segments of the population. Counteracting this decline in mortality rate we see a precipitous drop in overseas immigration, brought on by both internal and international events. Klein does not detail the sources of nativistic feelings, but the results are obvious. Internal immigration also continues, with the added influx of Black southerner to urban areas of the North. The continuing decline in fertility rates is temporarily altered in the post-World War II years with the advent of the baby-boomers. This is followed in the '60s and '70s by a reversal of immigration restrictions, with increased arrival of new populations from Latin America and southeast-Asia. Internal immigration also shifted, wit the flight to suburbia and the shift of population to the Sun-belt regions. |
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A Population History of the United States presents a number of applications for the teaching of American history. Students and instructors interested in the social and cultural history of our nation will find A Population History an especially rich and helpful resource. Klein supplements his study with 86 graphs and 19 maps detailing demographic patterns and change throughout the course of our history. One could easily utilize many of these graphic aids as overheads to a supplement lectures or as part of a PowerPoint presentation. They could be especially useful in constructing document-based essay questions. A Population History would be invaluable as a reference aid. Any student or historian conducting research on a number of topics regarding demographics could save a lot of time and energy by consulting A Population History. Because of its scholarly nature, its use would be more appropriate on a secondary or university classroom level. A Population History of the United States is a survey. Students and historians looking for a more details can turn to other sources, which Klein includes in an extensive bibliography. However, for a concise, readable, accessible survey of the demographic history of this nation, one could find no better effort then Klein's work. The charts, graphs, and maps alone would make this work a worthy supplement to he library or any public or private school teacher, university professor, or historian interested in the demographic changes which our nation has undergone. |
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| Pasadena, Texas |
John Bryan |
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