Defining Moment

1787-1788

The New Nation Era
Defining Moment
What Americans Were Trying To Do
What Americans Were Trying To Do

Create a government able to raise revenue, pay debts, regulate commerce, and provide for common defense.

What Happened
What Happened

Article I gave Congress power to tax, borrow, regulate commerce, coin money, and provide for national needs. These powers made a functioning national fiscal system possible.

How Public Finance Made It Possible
How Public Finance Made It Possible

Constitutional finance turned national promises into enforceable public authority.

What This EnabledWhat This Enabled
a government with tools to funddefend the countrybuild public credit
How Americans BenefitedHow Americans Benefited
a government with tools to funddefend the countrybuild public credit

Tax Project Institute

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