Defining Moment
1861-1872
1861-1872
Civil War and Reconstruction Era
Defining Moment
What Americans Were Trying To Do
Raise wartime revenue from income when tariffs and borrowing were not enough.
What Happened
Congress enacted income taxes during the Civil War, creating new administrative demands and establishing a precedent for taxing income at the federal level.
How Public Finance Made It Possible
The income tax showed that national revenue tools could expand during crisis.
What This EnabledWar finance drew on broader householdbusiness incomenot only importsexcises
How Americans BenefitedWar finance drew on broader householdbusiness incomenot only importsexcises
Anchor Events
Top 100 Building Events
