Final answer:
During the Revolutionary War, the Congress lacked the power to tax citizens or raise an army, which made it challenging to provide the army with enough equipment. Additionally, state governments could choose not to honor Congress's requests for troops, further complicating defense efforts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Congress did not have the power to tax citizens of the United States, a fact that would soon have serious consequences for the republic. During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress had sent requisitions for funds to the individual former colonies (now revolutionary states). These states already had an enormous financial burden because they had to pay for militias as well as supply them. In the end, the states failed to provide even half the funding requested by the Congress during the war, which led to a national debt in the tens of millions by 1784.
State governments could also choose not to honor Congress's request for troops, making it hard to defend the nation. Additionally, the national government lacked the power to raise an army or navy. Although the central government could declare war and agree to peace, it had to depend upon the states to provide soldiers. If state governors chose not to honor the national government's request, the country would lack an adequate defense.
Furthermore, the war highlighted how far the country still needed to go in industrializing its economy. Railroads were not sufficient to move troops and supplies, and arms manufacturers could not keep up with the demand for guns and bullets. The lack of equipment had serious consequences for the morale of the troops.
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