In the text it states:
“After the Revolution, the United States owed millions of dollars to individuals and foreign nations. Without the power to tax, Congress had no way to repay these debts. It asked states for money, but the states often refused.”
Based on the text above, what are some conclusions you can make about the power of the government?
Based on the text, some conclusions that can be made about the power of the government are:
1. The government lacks the power to tax: The text mentions that Congress had no way to repay the debts because it did not have the power to tax. This indicates that the government does not possess the authority to collect taxes from its citizens, limiting its ability to generate revenue.
2. The government relies on states for financial support: Congress asked the states for money to repay the debts, suggesting that the government is dependent on the cooperation and financial contributions of individual states to meet its financial obligations.
3. States have the power to refuse requests from the government: The text mentions that the states often refused to provide money, implying that they have the authority to reject the government's requests. This suggests that the power of individual states is significant and can potentially override the needs or demands of the central government.
Overall, the text indicates that the power of the government is limited, especially in terms of taxation and financial matters, and that it heavily relies on the cooperation of states to fulfill its obligations.