The Cambridge History of Law in America

Volume 1 of The Cambridge History of Law in America begins with the first European colonization and settlement.

Michael Grossberg (Edited by), Christopher Tomlins (Edited by)

9780521803052, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 28 April 2008

760 pages
23.6 x 16.4 x 4.6 cm, 1.15 kg

'Grossberg and Tomlin present this fine edited collection of essays on the law in the US...The chapter authors, leading experts in their fields, present lively, well-written pieces...Of great value is each volume's long, comprehensive bibliographic essay, which is over 120 pages in each book. A very good and enriching treatment of the topics covered, as well as a good general survey.' Choice

Volume 1 of The Cambridge History of Law in America begins the account of law in America with the very first moments of European colonization and settlement of the North American landmass. It follows those processes across two hundred years to the eventual creation and stabilization of the American republic. The book discusses the place of law in regard to colonization and empire, indigenous peoples, government and jurisdiction, population migrations, economic and commercial activity, religion, the creation of social institutions, and revolutionary politics. The Cambridge History of Law in America has been made possible by the generous support of the American Bar Foundation.

1. Law, colonization, legitimation and the European background Anthony Pagden
2. The law of Native Americans to 1815 Katherine A. Hermes
3. English settlement and local governance Mary Sarah Bilder
4. Legal communications and imperial governance: British North America and Spanish America compared Richard J. Ross
5. Regionalism in early American law David Thomas Konig
6. Penality and the colonial project: crime, punishment and the regulation of morals in early America Michael Meranze
7. Law, population, labor Christopher Tomlins
8. The fragmented laws of slavery in the colonial and revolutionary eras Sally E. Hadden
9. The transformation of domestic law Holly Brewer
10. Law and religion in colonial America Mark McGarvie and Elizabeth Mensch
11. The transformation of law and economy in early America Bruce H. Mann
12. Law and commerce, 1580–1815 Claire Priest
13. Law and the origins of the American Revolution Jack P. Greene
14. Confederation and constitution Jack N. Rakove
15. The consolidation of the early Federal system, 1791–1812 Saul Cornell and Gerald Leonard
16. Magistrates, common law lawyers, legislators: the three legal systems of British America James A. Henretta.

Subject Areas: Legal history [LAZ], History of the Americas [HBJK]