The data are as follows:

Question

in 1860, $0.6
in 1863, $1.2
in 1865, $2.55
in 1870, $2.5
in 1900, $2.2.
Dollar values are estimated.

Question
Use the image to answer the question.
Based on the graph, what can be said of how the Civil War affected the U.S. economy?
(1 point)
Responses

During the Civil War, the nation’s debt grew by a large amount.
During the Civil War, the nation’s debt grew by a large amount.

By the end of the Civil War, the nation had begun to reduce war spending.
By the end of the Civil War, the nation had begun to reduce war spending.

The Civil War put the nation in as much debt as it had been in 75 years earlier.
The Civil War put the nation in as much debt as it had been in 75 years earlier.

The Civil War cut the nation’s debt by about half.
The Civil War cut the nation’s debt by about half.

Answer 1

Based on the provided data, it can be inferred that the Civil War had a significant impact on the U.S. economy, particularly in relation to national debt. The information shows a general trend of increasing debt during the Civil War years, with a notable peak in 1865 followed by a slight decrease by 1870.

Considering the responses given:

1. During the Civil War, the nation’s debt grew by a large amount. (This statement aligns with the data showing a rise in debt during the Civil War years.)

2. By the end of the Civil War, the nation had begun to reduce war spending. (This seems partially true since debt did not decrease significantly until after the war.)

3. The Civil War put the nation in as much debt as it had been in 75 years earlier. (This statement seems less accurate given that the data indicates rising debt levels.)

4. The Civil War cut the nation’s debt by about half. (This statement is inaccurate since the debt increased overall.)

The most accurate conclusion based on the data provided is the first response: During the Civil War, the nation’s debt grew by a large amount.