Final answer:
The federal government must have the power to tax citizens in order to generate revenue and fulfill its constitutional responsibilities. This power was advocated by nationalist leaders like Alexander Hamilton to address the financial challenges of the young republic.
Step-by-step explanation:
The power to tax is a crucial power of the federal government. After the federal government must have the power to tax citizens, it can generate revenue to fund its operations and fulfill its constitutional responsibilities. Taxation allows the government to provide public goods and services, such as national defense, infrastructure development, and social programs.
One of the major arguments for granting the power to tax was made by nationalist leaders like Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and Robert Morris during the late 1700s. They believed that a stronger federal government with the authority to tax was necessary to address the financial challenges of the newly formed republic and ensure its stability and growth.
The power to tax is enshrined in the United States Constitution, specifically in Article I, Section 8, Clause 1. This clause grants Congress the authority to levy and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises in order to pay debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States.