From how I understand it, the 8000 tons officially on the books was given to the federal reserve as collateral by the Treasury to underpin the fractional banking system after the gold standard ended. Treasury got it from the nationalization (theft) of gold in 1933. The period when gold was circulating as money was the richest and most productive period in American history - I assume the gold accumulated here through enterprise as well as mining.
I believe the rest you're referring to was sent from Europe to the US for safekeeping during and after WWII, since the US was the only place it wouldn't be looted. I think the US will have the last laugh as much of the foreign-owned gold is confiscated by the US during the next monetary crisis. This is why we've heard of several nations demanding their gold back.
From how I understand it, the 8000 tons officially on the books was given to the federal reserve as collateral by the Treasury to underpin the fractional banking system after the gold standard ended. Treasury got it from the nationalization (theft) of gold in 1933. The period when gold was circulating as money was the richest and most productive period in American history - I assume the gold accumulated here through enterprise as well as mining.
I believe the rest you're referring to was sent from Europe to the US for safekeeping during and after WWII, since the US was the only place it wouldn't be looted. I think the US will have the last laugh as much of the foreign-owned gold is confiscated by the US during the next monetary crisis. This is why we've heard of several nations demanding their gold back.