How Did The Civil War Affect The Economy

The American Civil War was originally fought between the Northern Union States and the Southern Confederate States over contrasting belief systems and philosophies. Known as the deadliest of all American wars, this conflict took place from 1861 to 1865. Although the war took a heavy toll on human life due to the numerous human lives lost, it additionally had a tremendous impact on the economic and industrial future of America. Not only did industrialization and advanced transportation help the North win the war, but it also accelerated the rate at which the United States became an economic powerhouse in the decades following the Civil War. The Civil War contributed to these major developments during the large expansions westward and the expansions

There was a major drive west due to farming, mining, and natural expansion to develop new parts of our nation post civil-war. In terms of farming, new affordable and fertile land was needed for development purposes. Additionally, the government encouraged growth from the ever crowding east population by passing several acts. One example of these acts was the Homestead Act of 1862, which encouraged growth by offering cheap land and was available to any who could farm it (784). Congress basically provided free acres of land, under the conditions that the people living there improve the land and build a residence. This resulted in growth economically since it largely generated markets for goods and increased railroad construction greatly (784). This act not only benefited millions of Americans, but also eventually gave opportunities to several African Americans. Western expansion was also facilitated due to the developing railroad systems of the time. The completion of the transcontinental railroads made the West a place “destined for prosperity” (833). The government

This policy doesn’t refer to what the government did do, but what they didn’t do (784). By the government not intervening, America actually benefited and endured a great economic boom. It prevented excess overregulation on businesses that might decrease their productivity and profits, and kept taxes at a low level. The employment of philosophies from the Manifest Dynasty were also utilized to justify the imperialism of Americans as they expanded westward (915). It was believed that in order for America to grow industrially, they needed to expand their territories. These ideas that came from the Manifest Dynasty encouraged Americans to believe in the ideology that they were racially superior. It also convinced them that they were naturally destined to become dominant figures in the world and that their economic success would be inevitable. This assurement benefitted them as they were encouraged and motivated to expand more and dominate more land. The Manifest Dynasty ideals combined with the development of railway systems proved to be successful, as they helped facilitate the manifested growth. Despite these new developments helping the colonists, native Americans tremendously suffered, as their country, ways of life, and lives were stripped away from