Synopses & Reviews
An updated and expanded revision of a popular book published in 1981, American Political Trials examines the role of politicized criminal trials and impeachments in U.S. history from the early colonial era to the late 20th century. Each chapter focuses on a trial representative of a particular era in the American past. The emphasis is on cases that resulted from political persecution, but the book also shows how defendants have exploited the judicial process to advance their political objectives. All of the chapters appearing in the earlier book have been updated. In addition, the volume includes new chapters on the 1637 trial of Anne Hutchinson and the 1989 trial of Lt. Col. Oliver North for his role in the Iran-Contra scandal. The book also includes an updated bibliographical essay.
Synopsis
An updated, expanded revision, American Political Trials examines the role of politicized criminal trials and impeachments from the early colonial era to the late twentieth century. Each chapter focuses on a trial representative of a particular era in U.S. history. New chapters on the trials of Anne Hutchinson and Lt. Col. Oliver North are included.
About the Author
MICHAL R. BELKNAP is Professor of Law at California Western School of Law and Adjunct Professor of History at the University of California, San Diego.
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction: Political Trials in the American Past by Michal R. Belknap
`To Bee Rooted Out of Her Station': The Ordeal of Anne Hutchinson by Sandra F. VanBurkleo
Politics, the Press, and the Law: The Trial of John Peter Zenger by Paul Finkelman
Political Choice-Political Justice: The Case of the Pennsylvania Loyalists by Steven R. Boyd
The Impeachment of Samuel Chase by Richard Ellis
The Treason Trial of Castner Hanway by Paul Finkelman
The Indianapolis Treason Trials and Ex Parte Milligan by Frank L. Klement
The Pullman Strike Cases: Debs, Darrow, and the Labor Injunction by Daniel Novak
Political Justice during the Red Scare: The Trial of Benjamin Gitlow by Harold Josephson
The Angelo Herndon Case and Southern Justice by Charles H. Martin
United States v. McWilliams: The Roosevelt Administration and the Far Right by Leo P. Ribuffo
Cold War in the Courtroom: The Foley Square Communist Trial by Michal R. Belknap
The Chicago Conspiracy Case by James W. Ely, Jr.
The Iran-Contra Affair and the Trial of Oliver North by Michael Mayer
Bibliographical Essay
Index