America's First Great Depression: Economic Crisis and Political Disorder After the Panic of 1837

Abstract

America's First Great Depression -- Contents -- Introduction: Back to the Future -- 1. Boom and Bust -- Hard times -- Gauging the losses -- The bubble -- The collapse -- 2. The States' Crisis -- Defaulting on state debts -- Disgrace in Europe -- Shackling the states -- 3. The Federal Government's Crisis -- Gridlock in Washington -- The fraying national compact -- Losing the arms race -- Reconciling with the superpower -- 4. Law and Order -- Rebellion in Rhode Island -- The anti-rent war -- Cannon fire in Philadelphia -- Building civic armies -- 5. The End of the Crisis -- A proxy war in Mexico -- Redemption -- Conclusion: Freedom, Order, and Economic Crisis -- Note on Method and Acknowledgments -- Notes -- Index.