Final answer:
The Secret Service was originally created by Congress in 1865 to suppress counterfeit currency, a significant issue after the Civil War. It wasn't until 1901 that they took on the role of presidential protection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The original mission of the Secret Service when it was created by Congress in 1865 was not what many people associate it with today. Initially, the Secret Service had the primary responsibility of suppressing counterfeit currency. At the time, the end of the Civil War had led to the rampant circulation of counterfeit bills, which threatened to undermine the United States economy. The Secret Service was established as part of the Department of the Treasury to combat this issue. It was only in 1901, after the assassination of President William McKinley, that the Secret Service was additionally tasked with the responsibility of presidential protection.