This 1.5-hour presentation examines the American Civil War through the lens of economics and finance, where the struggle between North and South was especially unequal. Moving beyond battlefield narratives, we explore the lesser-known financial strategies, industrial capacities, monetary policies, and resource constraints that shaped the course of the war. By uncovering these economic dimensions, we gain a deeper understanding of how money, markets, and material power influenced America’s most consequential conflict.

Alexander “Alex” Billinis is currently a lecturer at Clemson University's Honors College and Political Science Departments. He earned his master’s degree in history at Clemson in 2022, and now he is pursuing his PhD in digital history. He writes prolifically on historical and cultural topics. His career has spanned international banking, law, commercial real estate, and journalism. He and his family have lived in Serbia, Greece, and the United Kingdom in addition to the United States.