Charles McCurdy of the University of Virginia discusses the use of promissory-note and bill-of-exchange systems in antebellum U.S. frontier lands and the legal complexities of ensuring that such bills would be paid as promised.
Charles McCurdy of the University of Virginia gives an example of the complexities of land law in the antebellum U.S., using the case Brunson v. Kedzie to demonstrate the interplay and contradiction of state and federal laws.
Charles McCurdy of the University of Virginia offers an overview of the laws pertaining to mortgages and sale of land in the antebellum frontier areas.
To view this clip, select "Commercial Law and the Settlement of the Frontier" under "Economic Development and Labor Video."
Charles McCurdy of the University of Virginia overviews the federal land law covering division, sale, rights to, and distribution of new lands and resources in the antebellum West and Midwest.
To view this clip, select "Public Land Law and the Settlement of the Frontier" under "Economic Development and Labor Video."
Kathryn Kish Sklar of SUNY-Binghamton discusses the immigration of Germans and Irish to the U.S. during the antebellum period, to serve as members of the working class. Sklar considers immigrant labor as supporting the development of the new middle class, and also looks at the changing role of women in immigrant families.
To view this clip, select "Women's Changing Roles in Immigrant Families" under "Economic Development and Labor Video."
Gerald Prokopowicz of the Lincoln Museum very briefly looks at Abraham Lincoln's association with the Whig party and his reasons for choosing it, as a believer in free labor.
To view this clip, scroll to "Lincoln the Whig" under "Abraham Lincoln's Biography Video."
Eric Foner of Columbia University outlines the arguments Abraham Lincoln (and other Northerners) articulated in favor of free labor, as well as the arguments Southerners presented against free labor and in favor of a slave economy.
To listen to this clip, select "Abraham Lincoln and the Idea of Free Labor" under "Abraham Lincoln's Biography Video."
Cultural resources manager of the Anacostia Museum Portia James discusses Creole inventor Norbert Rillieux's invention of the vacuum evaporator, a device that increased the efficiency of water evaporation and boosted the growth of the sugar industry.
To view this lecture, select "Scholars," followed by "Portia James." Select one of the Windows Media options.
Historian Tom Belton guides viewers through the North Carolina Museum of History exhibit "North Carolina and the Civil War." Progressing through the war chronologically, Belton describes both military and civilian life in North Carolina during the war, briefly highlighting several of the major battles in which North Carolina was involved. This presentation is divided into 31 short subchapters, which can be accessed separately.
Professor Clarence Walker discusses the origins of the institution of slavery in North America and what would become the United States. He looks back in history at different forms of slavery beyond North America and at how they differ and are similar to the North American and U.S. institution.