Economic and Political Effects of the American Civil War

This diploma thesis aims to show, whether main changes introduced to American economy due to Civil War in 1861 to 1865 had or had not positive effect on post-bellum economic development. were following antebellum development, or whether they go against it. To reach this objective, ante-bellum development of policies, which were changed the most during or after the war, is outlined; main political and social changes are introduced; application of the American system and its effects, mostly of protectionism and national banking system, are presented; and changes in size and role of federal government and effects of war on economy, mainly in the South, are analysed. I draw a conclusion from this evidence, that emancipation did not lead to immediate economic development in South, but rather due to other reasons. Also, I find that neither policy of protective tariffs, nor changes to the banking system had any positive effect on American economic growth in the last third of 19th century, and that their contribution was probably negative. Therefore, it can be stated, that American system, brought by the war, was not the cause of country's economic success