Both the Union and Confederate governments increased spending during the war. Millions of dollars were spent on new or improved cannons, guns, shells, tents, ambulances, and artificial limbs.
Also, the role of the telegraph and the railroad expanded. Railroads rapidly transported troops and supplies. The telegraph provided near-instantaneous communication over great distances.
But these advances raised new and troubling questions:
Would fraud accompany increased government spending?
Would the government attempt to control the telegraphic flow of information?
The documents in this area will help you explore these issues.
