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The Emergence Of Law And Justice In Pre-Territorial Wisconsin, Donald P. Kommers

Journal Articles

The article discusses the history of law and courts in Wisconsin from the period of French exploration in the 17th century to the 1820s. It focuses on the emergence of a structure of law and justice based on the common law tradition in Wisconsin, and argues this system played a significant role in disciplining its society. Law and courts, according to the article, fostered civility between frontiersmen, making them accustomed to the principles of fair play and equity and the practice of litigation when their interests were threatened. This development brought order to the area and shaped the future course …