Title: TreasuryDirect KIDS - The History of U.S. Public Debt - The Civil War (1861-1865)
Headings: 
The Civil War (1861-1865)
Legal Tender Act (1862) allowed the Government to:
The National Bank Act (1863) allowed for the creation of:

Content: The “greenbacks” could, however, be used to pay taxes and buy items from stores. The National Bank Act (1863) allowed for the creation of: a nationwide banking system that loaned money to the Government to pay for the war
a national system of paper money and coins
By the end of the war in 1865, Government debt had exploded, reaching $2.6 billion. That was more than 40 times what it was only five years earlier at $65 million. 1860 - The U.S. Government debt was $64.8 million. 1862 - The Legal Tender Act allowed the government to print paper money. 1863 - The National Bank Act created a system of national banks.