In February 1862, the federal government passed the Legal Tender Act. This law mandated that the public had to accept fiat government notes (greenbacks) for all debts public and private. However, the State of California defied the federal government for seventeen years and retained a gold standard.

Historical Spotlight examines the revolutionary financial methods employed by the Federal government to fund the Union army during the American Civil War in 1861. We explore how a new monetary system was created, and the implications of borrowing, taxation, and money printing.

McCulloch v. Maryland was the 1819 Supreme Court case that dramatically impacted the way the United States has been governed for almost 200 years. This case dealt with issues such as what is the power of the state versus the power of the federal government, what happens when the two come into conflict, & should the U.S. Constitution be interpreted narrowly or broadly?

McCulloch v. Maryland was the 1819 Supreme Court case that dramatically impacted the way the United States has been governed for almost 200 years. This case dealt with issues such as the power of the state versus the power of the federal government, what happens when the two come into conflict, & should the U.S. Constitution be interpreted narrowly or broadly?