Monday, July 27, 2015

What were some problems that the confederate paper notes had?

The issues of Confederate paper money took place between
1861 and 1865 and although the the value in 1861 was about 90 cents on the dollar, it
fell to just over 1 penny on the dollar in 1865.  This economic disaster was combined
with a seriously inflated economy. Inflation is defined as a general rise in prices and
between 1861 and 1865 the value of confederate money decreased as the cost of goods and
services increased. In addition, the individual Confederate states began printing their
own currency which in turn further devalued confederate paper notes. The oversupply of
these paper notes led to excessive price increases, 'too much paper following too little
goods'. Lastly, the Confederate government tried to slow inflation by calling for
holders of Confederate treasury notes to exchange them for Confederate bonds.
Unfortunately, those who held Confederate treasury notes thought they were strengthening
the southern economy. This was the ultimate blow to the southern economy because it
turned southern creditors (owners of whatever value was left to the currency) into
southern debtors thus destroying the last vestige of value in Confederate
currency.

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