How goldsmith receipts started circulating as money

Goldsmith receipts began circulating like money

English goldsmiths stored people's gold and gave them receipts promising that the gold could be collected later. The goldsmiths also lent some deposited gold to other customers. Because people trusted the receipts, the papers themselves began passing from person to person like money.

Switzerland's modern federation emerged from a civil war lasting weeks

In 1847, a conflict between Switzerland's cantons ended in less than a month with relatively few deaths compared with many European civil wars. The victorious federal forces helped clear the way for the constitution of 1848. Switzerland became a more unified federal state while retaining substantial powers for its cantons.

Japan gave the Ainu citizenship while suppressing their culture

A Japanese law passed in 1899 made the Ainu Japanese citizens while putting their land under government control and pushing them to adopt Japanese culture. Ainu language, religion, and customs were suppressed, so citizenship came together with the loss of many rights as a distinct Indigenous people.

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How goldsmith receipts started circulating as money

Goldsmith receipts began circulating like money

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