Making of a German constitution a slow revolution

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Transforming the Reich : toward a new political history of modern Germany -- Prelude to modern Germany : iurisdictio and the German idea of sovereignty -- Toward a German nation : Friedrich Karl von Savigny and the growth of legal politics -- The Germanist and the growth of customary law constitutionalism -- Undermining absolutism : the path of legalism and constituting the nation, 1846-1879 -- A century of promise : Eheliches Guterrecht, women's wealth and independence in nineteenth century Germany -- Last bastion : the Burgerliches Gesetzbuch and the transformation of German society -- Discontent in the Burgerliche society, 1900-1933 : Exclusion and popular resentment -- The German idea of revolution, some final thoughts.