Anchor Event

1863-1864

Civil War and Reconstruction Era
Anchor Event
What Americans Were Trying To Do
What Americans Were Trying To Do

Create a more uniform banking and currency system to support war finance and commerce.

What Happened
What Happened

The National Banking Acts created nationally chartered banks that could issue notes backed by U.S. government bonds. Later taxes on state bank notes pushed currency toward the national system.

How Public Finance Made It Possible
How Public Finance Made It Possible

Public finance linked government borrowing to a more uniform financial system.

What This EnabledWhat This Enabled
Businesseshouseholds gained a more standardized currencystronger national banking structure
How Americans BenefitedHow Americans Benefited
Businesseshouseholds gained a more standardized currencystronger national banking structure

Tax Project Institute

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