From Christopher Columbus to the Robber Barons A Financial History of the United States 1492–1900

Originally published in 2002, this is the first of three volumes in a history of finance in America. This volume covers the period from the 'discovery' of America to the end of the nineteenth century. It describes the status of finance in Europe at the time of Christopher Columbus' voyage to America. It then traces its transfer and development in America through the Revolution, into the Civil War and beyond to the speculative excesses occurring after that event.

Part 1: In the Beginning 1. The Antecedents: World Trade Before the Discovery of America 2. The Colonization of America 3. Commerce with the Colonies 4. Trade and Money 5. Revolutionary Finance Part 2: A Nation is Born 1. Independence 2. The Development of Corporations 3. The Rise of the American Stock Market 4. The Bank of the United States Part 3: Finance Before the Civil War 1. The Bank Fight 2. Stock Exchanges and Railroads 3. The State Banks 4. Insurance in America 5. The Panic of 1857 Part 4. The Civil War and Speculation 1. Union Finance 2. Confederate Finance 3. Wartime Speculation 4. The Robber Barons 5. Commodity Markets and the Gold Corner Part 5: The Panics 1. Financial Growth and the Panic of 1873 2. The Panic of 1884 3. Commodity Markets and Bucket Shops 4. Investment Trusts and the Panic of 1893 Part 6. Money and Wealth 1. Monetary Issues 2. The Gilded Age 3. Money, Banks and Trust Companies.

Jerry W. Markham is a professor of law at Florida International University in Miami, USA, where he teaches corporate and international business law.