Chapter 4: The Great Experiment
American Bankruptcy The first stock market panic in the United States left many wealthy speculators in a terrible financial situation. William Duer, a prominent land speculator lost a lot and ended up bankrupt after overextending his borrowings. Congress was yet to pass a bankruptcy bill. Defaulters like Duer still faced jail time during this period. Under bankruptcy laws, one was set free from their debts and creditors had no claim over them. As time progressed, public opinion went against jailing small debtors and the law began to change.
Repeal of British Usury Laws
In Britain, people began to consider that to capitalize on the ...
