Republic of Debtors: Bankruptcy in the Age of American Independence

Debt was a fact of life in early America. At the beginning of the 18th century, its sinfulness was preached by ministers and the right to imprison debtors was unquestioned. By 1800, imprisonment for debt was under attack and insolvency was no longer seen as a moral failure. Mann illuminates this crucial transformation in early American society.

Author(s): Bruce H. Mann
Publisher: Harvard University Press
Published: 2009-04-15
Categories: History