Persistent debate, a new approach, more data, rich findings -- Colonial incomes on the eve of the revolution -- When did colonial America get rich? -- Losing the lead -- Unequal economic growth, 1800-1860 -- The civil war -- Contending forces -- The greatest leveling of all time -- Rising inequality once more, since the 1970s -- Inequality and growth -- A guide to the 1774 and 1800 estimates -- Salaries, payment in kind, and workdays -- Estimating slaves' retained earnings, colonial times to 1860 -- American versus british prices, 1640-1875 -- A guide to the 1860 income estimates, and some modifications for 1850 -- A guide to the 1870 income estimates -- Farm operators' incomes in 1870 -- Sources and notes to tables and figures in main text.

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