Curated OER
History Matters: Laissez Faire for Depression Woes
Read this transcript of the testimony of Yale Professer William Graham Sumner speaking before a committee of the House of Representatives in 1878. His contention was that even with the thread of depression, it was in business' best...
Other
Ayn Rand Society
Website dedicated to providing information about Ayn Rand and Objectivism. Links to information on objectivism, capitalism, and art are included.
BBC
Bbc: History: The Irish Famine
BBC historian Jim Donnelly describes how a million people died of hunger in Ireland in the late 1840s, on the doorstep of the world's richest nation. Archived.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Ap Us History: Period 6: 1865 1898: Laissez Faire: Gilded Age
The study resource from Khan Academy provides an overview of Period 6: 1865-1898 in American History. Laissez-faire during the Gilded Age is discussed in this lesson. This resource is designed as a review for the AP US History Test.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Taming the Octopus: Social Policy: Social Darwinism vs. Social Gospel
Two Protestant clergymen discuss the morality of wealth: William Graham Sumner defends it and the practices that create it, while Walter Rauschenbusch questions its impact on society and calls for its Christianization.
Digital History
Digital History: Reaganomics
This on "Reaganomics," President Reagan's economic policy during his two presidential terms in the 1980s, discusses his laissez-faire approach and tax-cutting, which contributed to the economic recovery of that period.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Government in the Economy
This resource shows the different roles that the government plays in relation to the economy. It talks about the federal budget, the different responsibilities the government has, federal efforts to control monopolies, government...
Digital History
Digital History: The Theory of Laissez Faire [Pdf]
The economic philosophy of laissez-faire was espoused by Adam Smith in his book, Wealth of Nations. Read about the concepts of this philosophy, how it pertained to American business in the late 19h century, and what the drawbacks to...
Digital History
Digital History: The Sherman Anti Trust Act and Standard Oil [Pdf]
As the influence of large corporations spread in the age of big business, push-back was inevitable. Read about the Sherman Anti-Trust Act and the government's attempts to rein in the laissez-faire attitudes of corporations and the lack...
BBC
Bbc: History Trails: Victorian Britain
Victorian Britain experienced dramatic economic growth but at great social cost. Read about the times, and play online learning games as well.