Economic and Social Impacts · US History

The Legal Tender Act of 1862 was significant because it:

  1. Authorized the creation of 'Greenbacks' not backed by gold or silver
  2. Made it illegal to trade with the Confederate States
  3. Established a new gold standard for the entire international currency market
  4. Forced the defeated South to pay heavy reparations in federal currency
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: Authorized the creation of 'Greenbacks' not backed by gold or silver

To finance the war, the Union issued paper money known as Greenbacks. This was a major shift in American fiscal policy, as it established a national currency that relied on public trust in the government rather than specie.

Difficulty: Medium Question 1 of 20

Practice all 20 Economic and Social Impacts questions

Keep practicing

More Economic and Social Impacts questions