Causes of The American Civil War

by The Fascifist and Zoltanous

The American Civil War stands as a pivotal event in American history, characterized by its profound impact, complexity, and enduring consequences. The conflict between the Northern Union and Southern Confederacy led to significant repercussions, resonating through future global conflicts, notably the 20th-century world wars. To comprehend the origins of this war, it is imperative to explore its underlying causes. Understanding the genesis of the American Civil War requires an appreciation of the evolving ideologies and principles that were reshaping traditional systems in Europe and ancient Asia.

Throughout much of history, feudalism prevailed as the predominant social structure across Asia, Europe, and Africa, particularly during the European Middle Ages. Under this system, the monarch held supreme authority and land ownership, granting privileges to subjects. The nobility formed the aristocratic class and wielded influence over societal, economic, and cultural matters. Warriors comprised the military force, responsible for defending the realm, while the largest class, comprising peasants and artisans, formed the backbone of feudal society, contributing to food production, manufacturing, and infrastructure development.

The Fuedal Pyramid usually consisted of four classes

It's important to acknowledge the presence of a fifth class, which wielded considerable influence across all other classes through commerce. In Asia, particularly in China and Japan, the merchant class occupied the lowest rung of the feudal hierarchy. Often viewed with suspicion, they were considered to contribute little to society besides buying goods in one location and selling them at a higher price elsewhere. Consequently, they were often met with hostility, equated to criminals and scoundrels. Despite this stigma, merchants could amass wealth and power through lending money at interest, effectively enslaving individuals from all classes.

By creating debt, the merchant class could exert control over entire civilizations, turning them into perpetual marketplaces driven by commerce, decadence, and covert slavery. This precarious situation meant that neither peasants, artisans, warriors, nor noblemen were truly secure. Throughout history, slavery as a form of servitude has persisted, evolving in shape but not in essence. Philosophically, slavery can never truly be eradicated and will endure indefinitely. Nevertheless, it's crucial to acknowledge that servitude can manifest in various forms, some more abhorrent than others. Instead of solely focusing on the concept of slavery, it's essential to strive for fair cultures, systems, and civilizations that address the underlying causes leading to servitude. By establishing fair societies that protect individuals and communities, we can mitigate the more inhumane aspects of servitude.

During the “Liberal Enlightenment" period in Europe, conflicting philosophical ideologies competed for dominance. Ultimately, Liberalism emerged triumphant, laying the groundwork for the modern Western civilization. Concepts such as individual freedom, democracy, equality, fraternity, parliamentarism, and human rights, which shape our contemporary society, are all rooted in the principles of liberalism and founded upon the natural philosophy of secular humanism.

Concurrent with the rise of liberalism was the merchant class, which saw an opportunity for emancipation should liberalism continue to spread. While the merchant class faced persecution and expulsion in Continental Europe, Britain provided fertile ground for the expansion of liberalism with minimal opposition. The liberalizing British Isles became a haven for free markets and unbridled industrial development through debt slavery.

Unsurprisingly, the first industrial revolution emerged in Britain, giving the nation a significant advantage in commercial, technological, and military dominance. This was made possible by the influx of persecuted merchants from across Europe, who found sanctuary in Britain. Consequently, the British Empire was established, compelling other nations to either industrialize and imperialize in self-defense or risk being conquered by Britain.

However, even the British Empire itself was built on debt. Ironically, Britain engaged in exploitation, piracy, and enslavement worldwide to repay the merchants who had initially made Britain wealthy and powerful. Although it's evident that the debt was continuously inflated through usury, and that Britain could never fully repay it, no merchant financier in Britain was treated as a criminal or scoundrel, as had been the case in China and Japan for centuries.

Thanks to liberalism, capitalism emerged. Society rapidly shifted towards the commercialization of even sacred aspects of life, with no zealous king to overturn the tables of the money changers. Yet, the liberals paid no heed to these dangers. Driven by their own self-righteousness and chanting the mantra of "Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity," they continued to justify these developments as "rationally and self-evidently good for all."

As capitalism spread its influence, the liberals of the time convinced people that they were being uplifted and emancipated. However, the reality was that old forms of slavery were merely transformed into a new, more inhumane form. No oppressed class was truly liberated, as all were subjugated to the rule of money. The temple of God was turned into a marketplace for Mammon, and even monarchs could no longer resist this influence. The liberals secured the financial rule of the merchants by defending their "civil rights and liberties," a legacy that continues to this day.

The establishment of the first Masonic Lodge in London in 1717 marked the beginning of the spread of Freemasonry, serving as secret meeting places for influential members of society who were intrigued by the "Great Work of Freemasonry." Despite facing resistance from religious communities, Freemasonry found fertile ground in Britain, where Jews were first granted membership in the fraternity. The Constitution of The Freemasons, authored by Scottish writer and minister James Anderson in 1723, provided a unified doctrine and organizational structure for the lodges in London and Westminster. Benjamin Franklin, who traveled to England in 1724, was exposed to Freemasonry through his interactions with prominent British Parliament members who were part of the fraternity.

It is a topic of historical debate and interpretation whether The Constitution of The Freemasons had a direct influence on the eventual Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, written and drafted 42 years later. While the Founding Fathers, including Benjamin Franklin, were Freemasons, it is challenging to attribute the direct influence of The Constitution of The Freemasons in the language and ideas expressed in the foundational documents of the United States.

Claims and assertions about Freemasonry's role in the American Revolution should be approached with caution, as the Revolution was a complex event driven by a variety of factors, including grievances against British colonial policies, principles of Enlightenment philosophy, and a desire for self-governance. Similarly, attributing the actions of individuals solely to their membership in Freemasonry oversimplifies their motivations and ignores the broader context of the Revolution. It is essential to approach historical events with a critical and nuanced perspective, considering a wide range of factors and evidence, rather than relying on broad generalizations or unverified claims.

The involvement of prominent figures like Sir Francis Dashwood in the Masonic Conspiracy against the Crown within British Parliament is a subject of historical interest. Dashwood's participation in the Hellfire Club and his connections within the organization have sparked speculation about his role in the events of the time. However, it is crucial to approach such claims with a critical eye and rely on verifiable evidence to accurately understand historical events.

During the American Revolution, individuals from diverse backgrounds, including liberals, merchants, Anglo-Saxons, and Jews, who were identified as "Free White men of good character," were active in their opposition to the British crown. Notably, the American Revolution received financial support from a Jewish banker named Haym Salomon. His contributions were commemorated by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, which erected a plaque in his honor in 1997.

It reads:

"Haym Salmon, 1740-1785. Financier of the Revolution. Came to America circa 1772. Imprisoned by British, 1776 and 1778. Lived in Philidelphia, 1778-85; active in its Jewish community. A broker, he lent money heavily to support the war. Never repaid, he himself died in debt."

— The plaque of Haym Salomon

In a sardonic display of religious fervor, Freemasonry managed to establish its presence in the New World. The American Republic, established in 1776, became the first state founded on the principles outlined in the 1723 Constitution of Freemasons from London. The US Constitution, with its proclamation of "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the law," represented the victory of the serpent, no longer fearing oppression.

Comprehending the American Civil War necessitates acknowledging the opposing mindsets of the North and the South. During the American Revolution, most American Loyalists who opposed the Revolutionaries were from the South. The South was predominantly inhabited by religious peasants with an agrarian lifestyle, while the North consisted largely of liberal politicians and capitalists with an industrial outlook. Following the Revolution, many loyalist Southerners fled to Canada to avoid persecution by the revolutionaries.

The political division within the future union surfaced even before the United States declared independence. The Federalists and the Democratic Republicans were two rival parties during the American Revolution. The Federalists advocated for a robust central federal government, while the Democratic Republicans favored strong state governments. This political discord, along with discussions on finance and banking, was prominent during the Revolution. The Federalists, led Alexander Hamilton, championed the creation of a central bank to oversee the monetary system of the entire Federation. Central banking was not a new concept, as Dutch Protestants and Jews had established the first central bank in 1609, playing a crucial role in transforming the Netherlands into a global economic power. The English, upon welcoming Dutch Jews into England, created the Bank of England in 1694, which became the backbone of the British Empire.

Nevertheless, mounting debt concerns made some of the founding fathers hesitant to adopt the same model in the United States. Despite public opposition, there were two attempts to establish a central bank. Hamilton led the first movement in 1791. However, both attempts proved short-lived, lasting less than 20 years and providing little stability. The situation was dire, with even the failure of a single local bank leading to nationwide panics. People knew that their banks would not be saved if they went bankrupt, so at the first sign of insolvency, individuals would frantically withdraw their funds, causing otherwise healthy banks to collapse due to fear. These bank runs occurred frequently, and the resulting depressions were most severe in industrialized areas of America, while agricultural regions fared relatively well.

American bankers realized that the failure of banks was due to the independence of many individuals, particularly in heavily agricultural regions like the South. To bolster industry and establish a proper capitalist society, certain changes were deemed necessary. The agricultural South had to be economically subordinated to stabilize and benefit the industrial North, regardless of the detrimental effects on the South's economy, culture, and way of life. From a banker's perspective, northern coercion and aggression were necessary because the South refused to comply with the Union's economic demands. Ironically, while the North aimed to free a limited number of plantation slaves, it sought to enslave the entire country to bankers, leading to a future where most individuals would become wage slaves.

Thomas Jefferson, a Virginia plantation owner who inherited hundreds of slaves, hypocritically criticized his ideological opponents by moralizing slavery for his own personal gain. Jefferson believed that his cherished federal union, the world's first democratic experiment, would crumble if the feudal-like economy of agricultural slavery was not replaced with what could be called a capitalist system based on industrialized crypto-slavery. According to Jefferson, liberal democracy required a post-industrial bourgeois society to thrive. This reveals that Jefferson did not fundamentally oppose slavery itself, but rather the specific form it took. Jefferson instrumentalized the issue of slavery to enforce the supremacy of industrialism and capitalism. Irony lies in Jefferson's treatment of his own slaves. Out of the hundreds he owned, he only freed five. Jefferson's final will explains this decision, citing Virginia law that considered slaves as property subject to the claims of creditors. Jefferson died deeply in debt.

In the initial draft of the Declaration of Independence, Jefferson scapegoated and demonized King George III as a cruel tyrant.

"He has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating its most sacred rights of life and liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him, captivating and carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere or to incur miserable death in their transportation tither... Determined to keep open a market where Men should be bought and sold, he has prostituted his negative for suppressing every legislative attempt to prohibit or restrain this exercrable commerce."

— Thomas Jefferson, quoted in The Papers of Thomas Jefferson by Julian P. Boyd

The decision to omit the passage denouncing slavery was deliberate, as it aimed to hide the glaring hypocrisy of Thomas Jefferson, a slave owner himself, and to prevent any threat to the revolutionary movement. In a subsequent letter to John Holmes on April 20, 1820, Jefferson allegorically discussed the challenges they were confronting.

"We have the wolf by the ear, and we can neither hold him, nor safely let him go. Justice is in one scale, and self-preservation in the other."

— Thomas Jefferson quoted in the Morgan Archives

Determining how power would be distributed in the newly independent republic was a critical concern, in addition to deliberations on banking and finance. The "founding fathers" were fully cognizant of the obstacles they would face, including the substantial influence of the Anglo-Saxon Freemason movement.

John Adams said:

"There is nothing I dread so much, as a Division of the Republic into two great Parties, each arranged under its Leader, and concerning Measures in opposition to each other. This, in my humble Apprehension is to be dreaded as the greatest political Evil, under our Constitution."

— John Adams, John Adams letter to Jonathan Jackson, 2 October 1780

After the American Revolution, several northern states, including Vermont, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island, enacted laws to gradually or completely eliminate slavery. This led to a significant decrease in the practice of slavery in the North by 1860. Some southern states, like South Carolina, also took steps against slavery. In 1787, Thomas Jefferson praised the future governor of South Carolina for the state's decision to stop importing slaves. This indicates that there was some common ground at the time, suggesting that the later conflict between the North and the South was driven by more than just moral concerns about slavery.

Despite the ban on importing slaves, the number of slaves in the South continued to increase significantly over the following 75 years. The issue of slavery persisted during the westward expansion of the United States, particularly with the Northwest Ordinance of 1787, which prohibited slavery in newly acquired territories that were intended to become states. When the Constitution was signed, slavery was allowed, and slaves were counted as three-fifths of a person for determining electoral votes. In February 1793, the Fugitive Slave Act was passed, making the federal government responsible for returning escaped slaves to their owners. Further legislation heightened tensions between the North and the South. The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 expanded the United States, but it allowed the practice of slavery to continue. In January 1808, the importation of slaves was federally banned, but the internal slave trade persisted.

In 1820, the controversial Missouri Compromise was signed into law by President James Monroe, allowing Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state, with the condition that no future state above it geographically would be allowed to have slavery. Maine was also admitted as a free state, solidifying the division between the Northern free states and the Southern slave states. This legal division effectively created two separate countries within the United States.

During this time, the invention of the cotton gin transformed the economy of the South, leading to a higher demand for labor. The North implemented protective tariffs that favored manufacturing businesses, which affected the Southern economy. The South argued that the tariffs were unconstitutional and benefited only the North, contradicting Article 1, Section 8.

This economic difference led the Southerners to view the struggle as the Southern War for Independence or the War of Northern Aggression. The tariff was seen as a means for the capitalist North to protect its industry at the expense of the more agrarian South, affecting both plantation owners and consumers. This led to the "Nullification Crisis" during Andrew Jackson's presidency. Despite being a Freemason and a Southerner himself, Jackson supported the tariffs and considered any rebellion against them as treason.

After the signing of the Tariff of 1832, the South Carolina legislators, under the leadership of John C. Calhoun, expressed their strong opposition to the federal government by adopting the Ordinance of Nullification, which declared the tariffs null and void within their state. Eventually, a compromise tariff bill known as the "Compromise Tariff of 1833" was passed, reducing the tariff rates to a level more acceptable for the South. However, the debate over nullification and federal law continued to be fiercely debated.

With the tariff situation somewhat resolved, the focus shifted to the moral aspect of slavery. Abolitionist movements gained traction in the North, and the distinct economic and cultural differences between the North and South became more apparent. The North relied heavily on manufacturing and finance, while the South's economy was based on agriculture and farming. During the Civil War, the North often viewed the South as lazy, immoral, and uncivilized, while the South saw the North as greedy, money-driven, and immoral. This period also witnessed a religious revival across the country, with different religious denominations interpreting their own views on the Bible and the morality of slavery. Northerners saw slavery as completely unjust, while the South justified it based on their interpretation of the Bible. The issue of slavery was largely divided along Jewish and Christian views, as confirmed by the demographics of slave owners and their theological beliefs.

Based on the 1860 National Census and Historical Statistics of the United States in 1970, the total population was 31,443,322, with 3,953,762 individuals recorded as slaves. In the South, the population was around 12,240,293, with only 393,397 individuals identified as slave owners, constituting just 3% of the population. The majority of these slave owners were wealthy white aristocrats who held significant power in the legislatures of their respective states. It's important to note that while slavery was integral to the Southern economy, the average Southerner was poor and did not own any slaves. The census also reveals that Native American nations, including the Choctaw, Cherokee, Creeks, and Chickasaw, also owned slaves, with the Cherokee owning the most, with 2,504 slaves.

Additionally, it is often overlooked that there were African American slave owners. It is important to acknowledge that during the Civil War, a diverse range of Southerners, regardless of race or slavery status, fought together against the Union. The religious affiliation of slave owners also played a significant role. The census data indicates that 40% of all slave owners were Jewish, a disproportionately high number considering that Jews made up less than 2% of the total population. Understanding the influence of religion and theology on the treatment of slaves in the South is crucial to comprehending this period. Christian slave owners generally adhered to the morality of the New Testament, while Jewish slave owners followed the morality of the Talmud. Examining the teachings of these religious texts provides insight into which slave owners were likely more humane and which were likely more inhumane.

In the New Testament we find passages, such as these:

"Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven."

Colossians 4:1

"Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him."

Ephesians 6:9

"There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, both the Jew and the Greek alike, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, both the Jew and the Greek alike. For God shows no partiality."

Romans 2:9-11

"Let all who are under a yoke as slaves regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things."

Timothy 6:1-2

“Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free; but Christ is all, and in all. Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

Colossians 3:11-14

“For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring and heirs according to promise.”

Galatians 3:26-29

— King James Bible

In sharp contrast to these teachings, one finds the following in the Talmud:

"If a Jew finds an object lost by a Goy, it does not have to be returned."

"If a goy hits a Jew, He must be killed."

"If a Jew murders a Goy, there will be no death penalty."

"What a Jew steals from a Goy, he may keep."

"All Children of the Goyim are Animals."

"If you eat with a Goy, it is the same as eating with a Dog."

"The Gentiles are not Humans. They are Beasts."

"Even the best of the goyim should all be killed."

"Do not save Goyim in danger of death. Show no mercy to the Goyim."

"Sexual intercourse between the goyim is like intercourse between animals."

"When the Messiah comes, every Jew will have 2800 slaves."

"Extermination of the Christians is a necessary sacrifice."

"Jehova created the non-Jew in human form so that the Jew would not have to be served by beasts. The non-Jew is consequently an animal in human form, and condemned to serve the Jew day and night."

"A Jew is forbidden to drink from a glass of wine which a Gentile has touched, because the touch has made the wine unclean."

"To communicate anything to a Goy about our religious relations would be equal to the killing of all Jews, for if the Goyim knew what we teach about them, they would kill us openly."

"A Jew may do to a non-Jewess what he can do. He may treat her as he treats a piece of meat."

"A Jew may violate but not marry a non-Jewish girl."

"A prayer or benediction to be said by a Jewish man every day: 'Thank God for not making me a Gentile, a woman or a slave."

"A Jew should and must make a false oath when the Goyim ask if our books contain anything against them."

— Fazal Rahman, Jewish Religion: Truth About and Contents of Talmud

When analyzing the diverging teachings between Jews and Christians, a clearer understanding emerges of how Jewish and Christian slave owners may have treated their slaves differently. It can be inferred that the majority of inhumane treatment of slaves in the South was likely conducted by Jewish slave owners, while Christians were more likely to treat their slaves with humanity. It is important to bear in mind that over 90% of the Southern population consisted of Christians who never owned slaves. Can one honestly condemn the entire South for an enterprise that was disproportionately driven by Jewish slave owners and did not reflect the way of life for the majority of Southerners? The moral foundation of the South was primarily rooted in the teachings of the New Testament, not the Talmud. Without the moralization of slavery itself, one must consider how individuals treat one another, regardless of differences in status, creed, or history. There is no doubt that there was a distinct contrast in the South between the inhumane teachings of the Talmud and the humane teachings of the New Testament. These teachings manifested in the cultural practices of how Southerners treated each other.

The end of the Mexican-American War with the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo resulted in the United States acquiring more territory, intensifying the debate over pro and anti-slavery states. In 1850, the Compromise of 1850 allowed California to enter as a free state. However, the signing of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 required state officials to assist the federal government in capturing runaway slaves, posing another obstacle to the North's attempt to undermine the Southern economy. In 1851, Harriet Beecher Stowe, an abolitionist, wrote a significant book called Uncle Tom's Cabin. This book vividly described the lives of slaves and had a profound impact on many people's perception of slavery, especially those who were undecided. It marked a crucial turning point in public moral consciousness. Uncle Tom's Cabin brought the issue of slavery to the forefront of politics, particularly regarding the state of Kansas, which became a central point of contention. The question was whether Kansas would be admitted as a slave or free state.

The passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854 marked a turning point in the debate over slavery in the United States. This act created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska and allowed the settlers themselves to decide whether to permit or prohibit slavery through popular sovereignty. The ensuing struggle between the North and the South over the fate of these territories intensified, leading to violent confrontations and the emergence of opposing factions in Kansas. The clashes in Kansas, including the events of "Bleeding Kansas," underscored the deepening sectional divide between the free and slave states, setting the stage for the imminent Civil War.

The Dred Scott case of 1857 further exacerbated the rift between the North and the South. The Supreme Court's ruling denying Dred Scott, an enslaved man, the right to citizenship, solidified the status of African Americans as non-citizens, regardless of their free or enslaved status, profoundly affecting the legal standing and rights of black individuals in the nation.

Amidst these tensions, Abraham Lincoln rose to prominence, representing the newly formed Republican Party, which opposed the expansion of slavery into new territories. While Lincoln held anti-slavery views, his primary aim was to maintain the political and economic unity of the nation rather than immediate emancipation of the enslaved population. His election to the presidency in 1860 marked a critical moment, as the South viewed it as an aggressive move by the North. Lincoln's election, combined with his advocacy for tariffs, which raised concerns about economic conditions in the South, prompted South Carolina to convene a Secession Convention and subsequently secede from the Union.

In the face of the growing divide, Lincoln addressed the fears of the South in a letter to Alexander Stephens, assuring the South that the Republican administration posed no greater threat to its interests than the earlier days of the nation. However, he acknowledged the fundamental difference between the North and the South on the issue of slavery, with the South advocating for its expansion while the North sought to restrict it, reflecting the irreconcilable conflict over the institution of slavery.

Still the states continued to secede and Mississippi joined South Carolina on the 9th of January, famously declaring:

"Our position is thoroughly identified with the institution of slavery- the greatest material interest of the world. Its labor supplies the product which constitutes by far the largest and most important portions of commerce of the earth. There was no choice left to us, but the submission to the mandates of abolition, or a dissolution of the Union, whose principles had been subverted to work out our ruin."

— Confederate States of America Mississippi secession declaration

The secession of South Carolina in 1860 triggered a chain of events that led to the formation of the Confederate States of America. This was followed by the secession of several other Southern states, including Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas, before Abraham Lincoln's official inauguration as President. The Confederate States of America established its own government in Montgomery, Alabama, with Jefferson Davis as its President. The Confederate Constitution protected slavery and was seen as necessary to safeguard the agricultural economy of the South from the perceived capitalist exploitation of the industrialized North.

During this period, the Morrill Tariff was signed into law, doubling taxes, particularly impacting the South, which saw this as further economic oppression. Abraham Lincoln's inauguration as President intensified the conflict, as he emphasized his duty to preserve the Union and collect duties and tariffs.

The American Civil War was driven by a complex array of factors, including states' rights, slavery, imbalanced taxes, cultural differences, and economic policies. The formation of the Confederate States of America was a response to what was seen as unconstitutional actions by the Union. Tensions escalated with the passing of the final tariff bill and Lincoln's inauguration. The South fought to defend their homeland and their way of life, including the institution of slavery.

It can be argued that the economic need for slavery would have diminished over time as the South developed its own industries. Slavery was seen as a necessary evil tied to the economic well-being of the South, rather than a moral issue. President Lincoln's paramount objective was to preserve the Union, not necessarily to either save or destroy slavery. He attempted to free the Union from the control of bankers by introducing the Legal Tender Act, establishing a national currency backed by the U.S. Government's labor credit. This move highlighted the international significance of the conflict, as it drew support from the Tsar of Russia, aligning himself with the Union.

The conflict also involved a struggle over the money system, with Lincoln recognizing the predatory nature of the money powers. Under pressure from politicians sponsored by the banksters and in need of currency during the war, Lincoln reluctantly signed the National Banking Act. However, he later intended to repeal the Act and abolish the Central Bank.

After the American Civil War, the country was in a financially weakened state and required resources for its rebuilding. International bankers offered loans to meet these needs, setting the stage for a larger war against financial powers. President Lincoln recognized that the Confederacy was fighting to avoid a different form of slavery, one that the Union would now have to confront and defend against.

Lincoln's worst fears came true as the power of money threatened the country's safety. The war had led to the rise of corporations and an era of corruption in high places. The money power attempted to prolong its reign by exploiting people's prejudices until all wealth was concentrated in a few hands, leading to the destruction of the Republic.

Lincoln deeply regretted accepting the National Banking Act, considering it the greatest financial mistake of his life. He believed it should be repealed, but anticipated a fierce contest between the people and the banks. Unfortunately, Lincoln's life was cut short when he was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, an agent working for powerful bankers. The banking cartels had eliminated their greatest threat.

The struggle against financial enslavement continued beyond Lincoln's presidency and into the 20th century. More individuals rose up to fight against the powers of interest slavery, a war that still continues into the 21st century. Before nations like Fascist Italy, Imperial Japan, and Nazi Germany emerged to confront these financial powers, there was Dixieland, the Confederate States of America. The struggle of the Axis powers can be seen as a similar fight against plutocracy, echoing the struggle of the Confederate States of America.