I spent some time with state banknotes from 1860 last week and there are as many stock images of railroads as there are of enslaved people. That's not to diminish the power and meaning of enslaved workers, but rather, in context, helps us see their own self-conception as inclined toward the modern technologies of global capitalism--and slavery is firmly a part of that just as much as international money markets, railroads, and undersea telegraphs. (As opposed to how we used to think of them--as quaint, locally inclined, agriculturalists uninterested in modernity.)
Anyhow, I did not know that CS notes began dropping slavery images toward the end. What evidence do we have that they did so as not to antagonize non-slaveholders. (I'd believe it, but I'm wondering how we know.)
All good points, Chris. I recommend checking out Ian Binnington’s book Confederate Visions (UVA Press), which includes a chapter on Confederacy currency--specifically page 85.
Fantastic article! Good examples of material culture.
I spent some time with state banknotes from 1860 last week and there are as many stock images of railroads as there are of enslaved people. That's not to diminish the power and meaning of enslaved workers, but rather, in context, helps us see their own self-conception as inclined toward the modern technologies of global capitalism--and slavery is firmly a part of that just as much as international money markets, railroads, and undersea telegraphs. (As opposed to how we used to think of them--as quaint, locally inclined, agriculturalists uninterested in modernity.)
Anyhow, I did not know that CS notes began dropping slavery images toward the end. What evidence do we have that they did so as not to antagonize non-slaveholders. (I'd believe it, but I'm wondering how we know.)
All good points, Chris. I recommend checking out Ian Binnington’s book Confederate Visions (UVA Press), which includes a chapter on Confederacy currency--specifically page 85.
Oh, right on. Will do. Thanks.