Confiscation Acts, (1861–64), in U.S. history, series of laws passed by the federal government during the American Civil War that were designed to liberate slaves in the seceded states. The First Confiscation Act, passed on Aug. 6, 1861, authorized Union seizure of rebel property, and it stated that all slaves who fought with or worked for the Confederate military services were freed of further obligations to their masters.
"Gospel of Wealth' by Andrew Carnegie was written to the 'new' upper class - those that made their own riches (not 'old money'). It was intended to describe their responsibility to share their wealth through philanthropy.
