[the_Watchman]

coupled with economic aid to the south . . .

The federal government did not engage in massive aid programs involving cash then. They didn't have the money for it. Remember that the income tax was still in the distant future.

I added the "involving cash" because they did provide lots of largess to fund the railroads but that was done by giving away land.

[doodad]

Remember that the income tax was still in the distant future.

Actually, today is the anniversary of the first income tax implementation in 1861 by the Lincoln Administration and Congress.