Bankruptcy In United States History

by Charles Warren

Of great interest to bankruptcy attorneys and students of economics and history, this book contains amplifications of lectures given by the author at the Law School of Northwestern University. The author observes that periods of financial crisis and depression are accompanied by pressure on the Congress for bankruptcy legislation. The author explores the expansive possibilities of the Bankruptcy Clause of the Constitution as one of the more interesting features of the Constitution. Covered are the periods of 1789 to 1827, when relief was demanded only in the interest of the creditor; 1827 to 1861, when demanded only in the interest of the debtor; and 1861 to 1935, when demanded for the national interest in general.

195 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1935

About the author

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Reviews

[Evan Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of my reading series on bankruptcy. Too often a list of legislative acts, who supported them and who didn't. All the big ideas have to be teased out. The prevailing theme about sectional differences in ideas about bankruptcy is interesting. The topic seems an area of antebellum sectional difference that is probably less well explored.

[Ben · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brief and useful overview of the history of Bankruptcy Acts in the 19th century, about as insightful as a wikipedia entry, and only slightly longer, but has some good quotes from congressional debates. Written in 1935, focuses only on debates between congressmen.