Why the Nation Printed Greenbacks
During the Civil War, the United States government faced a costly problem: how could it pay for soldiers, supplies, and ships when the war was spending money faster than taxes could provide it?
The government borrowed money, but that was not enough. On February 25, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the first Legal Tender Act. The law allowed the government to issue $150 million in paper notes, often called United States Notes. Unlike coins made of gold or silver, the notes were not valuable because of the material they were made from. Their value depended on people's confidence in the government that issued them.
The notes became known as greenbacks because green ink covered much of their backs. Printing presses produced sheets of the notes, which could then be cut apart and put into circulation. The paper money helped the government make payments during the war, although printing more money also contributed to rising prices.
- circulation:
- Use by people as money passes from one person to another.
- confidence:
- Trust that someone or something can be relied on.
- creditor:
- A person or group to whom money is owed.
- interest:
- Money paid for the use of borrowed money.
- bonds:
- Agreements through which a government or organization borrows money and promises to repay it.
- authorized:
- Officially allowed.
- contributed:
- Helped cause something to happen.
One passage, many ways to practice
Reading-skill questions, word work and writing prompts — all built from this text.
Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
Context Clues
Use clues in the passage to work out what words mean. A separate printable Vocabulary worksheet is also available.
Summarize
Select, organize, and restate the most important information without adding opinion.
Purpose
Analyze what the author aims to do and how choices serve audience and purpose.
Structure
Analyze how sections and organizational choices build the text's ideas or effects.
Vocabulary
Practice words from the passage with a printable worksheet.
Writing Prompts
Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.
Fix the Sentence
Practice editing sentences drawn from this passage with a printable worksheet.
Ready to use this passage in class?
Start free with the Mixed worksheet and 3 PDF downloads each week. Focused skill sets depend on plan.
Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Why did the government turn to paper money during the Civil War?
- 2How did the value of greenbacks differ from the value of gold or silver coins?
You Might Also Like
About this explanatory article passage for 6th Grade
“Why the Nation Printed Greenbacks” is a explanatory article reading passage about Civil War finance, written for 6th Grade. It takes about 2 minutes to read (312 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.