True Civil War Caper Through Fake News, Wall Street, and the White House

Lincoln's Lie: A True Civil War Caper Through Fake News, Wall Street, and the White House

by Elizabeth Mitchell

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1082 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	304 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Hardcover	:	176 pages
Item Weight	:	1.43 pounds
Dimensions	:	6.5 x 0.83 x 8.86 inches

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The American Civil War was one of the most consequential events in our nation's history. It was a time of great upheaval and violence, but it was also a time of great innovation and creativity. One of the most fascinating stories from this period is the tale of how a group of Wall Street financiers and Confederate sympathizers used fake news to manipulate the stock market and influence the outcome of the war.

The story begins in 1861, when the Union Army was struggling to gain ground against the Confederate forces. Desperate for a way to boost morale and raise money, the Union government issued a series of bonds that would pay interest to investors. These bonds were quickly snapped up by investors, both in the North and the South. However, as the war dragged on, it became clear that the Union would likely not be able to pay back the money it had borrowed. This led to a decline in the value of the bonds, and many investors began to sell them off.

In April 1862, a group of Wall Street financiers led by Jay Gould and Jim Fisk decided to take advantage of the situation. They bought up large amounts of Union bonds at a discount, and then spread rumors that the Union was on the verge of collapse. These rumors caused the value of the bonds to plummet, and many investors panicked and sold their bonds for whatever they could get. Gould and Fisk then bought up these bonds at even lower prices, and made a huge profit when the value of the bonds eventually rebounded.

Gould and Fisk were not the only ones who used fake news to profit from the war. In fact, the practice of spreading false information to manipulate the stock market was so common that it became known as "scalping." One of the most notorious scalpers was Horace Greeley, the editor of the New York Tribune. Greeley was a vocal supporter of the Union, but he also had a close relationship with Confederate President Jefferson Davis. Greeley often used his newspaper to publish pro-Confederate propaganda, and he even went so far as to print fake news stories about Union defeats.

The use of fake news by Gould, Fisk, Greeley, and others had a significant impact on the outcome of the Civil War. By spreading rumors that the Union was on the verge of collapse, these scalpers caused investors to lose faith in the government. This lack of confidence made it difficult for the Union to raise money, and it also boosted the morale of the Confederate forces. As a result, the war lasted longer and cost more lives than it might have otherwise.

The story of Gould, Fisk, and Greeley is a cautionary tale about the dangers of fake news. It shows how easily false information can be spread, and how powerful it can be in shaping public opinion. It also shows how important it is to be skeptical of the information we see and hear, and to always do our own research before making any decisions.

Additional Information

• Jay Gould was born in Roxbury, New York, in 1836. He started his career as a clerk on Wall Street, and quickly rose through the ranks. By the time he was 30 years old, he was one of the most powerful financiers in the United States.
• Jim Fisk was born in Bennington, Vermont, in 1834. He started his career as a peddler, but quickly moved into the world of finance. He was a close associate of Jay Gould, and together they made a fortune by manipulating the stock market.
• Horace Greeley was born in Amherst, New Hampshire, in 1811. He started his career as a journalist, and eventually became the editor of the New York Tribune. He was a strong supporter of the Union, but he also had a close relationship with Confederate President Jefferson Davis.
• The New York Tribune was one of the most influential newspapers in the United States during the Civil War. It was known for its pro-Union stance, but it also published a number of pro-Confederate propaganda pieces.
• The practice of spreading false information to manipulate the stock market was known as "scalping." It was a common practice during the Civil War, and it had a significant impact on the outcome of the war.

The story of Gould, Fisk, Greeley, and the use of fake news during the Civil War is a fascinating and important one. It shows how easily false information can be spread, and how powerful it can be in shaping public opinion. It also shows how important it is to be skeptical of the information we see and hear, and to always do our own research before making any decisions.

Lincoln's Lie: A True Civil War Caper Through Fake News, Wall Street, and the White House

by Elizabeth Mitchell

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1082 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	304 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Hardcover	:	176 pages
Item Weight	:	1.43 pounds
Dimensions	:	6.5 x 0.83 x 8.86 inches

FREE