Capital destruction and economic growth: the effects of Sherman’s March, 1850–1920
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Published version
Date
2022-10-01
Authors
Feigenbaum, James
Lee, James
Mezzanotti, Filippo
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Published version
OA Version
Citation
J. Feigenbaum, J. Lee, F. Mezzanotti. 2022. "Capital Destruction and Economic Growth: The Effects of Sherman’s March, 1850–1920" American Economic Journal: Applied Economics, Volume 14, Issue 4, pp.301-342. https://doi.org/10.1257/app.20200397
Abstract
Using General Sherman’s March through Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina during the Civil War, we study the effect of capital destruction on medium- and long-run local economic activity, and the role of financial markets in recovery. We show that the march’s capital destruction led to a large contraction in agricultural investment, farming asset prices, and manufacturing activity compared to neighboring counties. Elements of the decline in agriculture persisted through 1920. Exploiting variation in local access to antebellum credit, we argue that the underdevelopment of financial markets played a role in weakening the recovery.
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Copyright © 2022 by the American Economic Association.