The hallmark of the modern nation-state is its redistributive and social welfare programs. Yet, these programs vary considerably both nationally and subnationally. Why? Focusing on the U.S. South after the Civil War, a region with notoriously limited redistributive social programs, we argue that the wartime policy of contraband camps explains important variation in social welfare policies. Contraband camps involved investments in physical institutions, civilian leadership in camp administration, and high levels of exposure to redistributive and abolitionist ideas within camp communities. These three processes were highly concentrated in contraband camp counties and made post-war investments in redistributive social policy more likely. We test our arguments using new data, including full-count censuses. Results strongly support expectations: counties with a contraband camp had about a 74% increase in tax revenue compared to counties without one. Our results contribute to research on U.S. political development, redistributive social policies, war, and post-conflict reconstruction.

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