Manufacturing Advantage: War, the State, and the Origins of American Industry, 1776-1848

In 1783, the Revolutionary War drew to a close, but America was still threatened by enemies at home and abroad. The emerging nation faced tax rebellions, Indian warfare, and hostilities with France and England. Its arsenal—a collection of hand—me—down and beat—up firearms—was woefully inadequate, and its manufacturing sector was weak. In an era when armies literally froze in the field...