Question

Under the Articles of Confederation, the new national government was unable to repay the debt accumulated during the Revolutionary War. The Constitution was written to address this and other problems.

An excerpt from Article I, Section 8, of the United States Constitution is shown (these are the choices below).

Select the three provisions that were written to address the debt faced by the United States under the Articles of Confederation.

Excerpt from Article I, Section 8, of the United States Constitution

Question 30 options:

To establish a uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniform Laws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United States.


The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;


To establish Post Offices and post Roads;


To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;…


To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;


To coin Money, regulation the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin…


To promote the Progress of Science and useful arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries;


To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

Answer 1

The three provisions that were written to address the debt faced by the United States under the Articles of Confederation are:

"The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the United States; but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughout the United States"

This provision granted Congress the power to levy taxes and other fees in order to generate revenue to pay off the national debt. It also required that these taxes and fees be applied uniformly throughout the United States.

"To borrow Money on the credit of the United States"

This provision granted Congress the power to borrow money on behalf of the United States in order to address the debt.

"To coin Money, regulation the Value thereof, and of foreign Coin"

This provision granted Congress the power to coin money and regulate its value, which would help the government to generate revenue and manage the debt. It also gave Congress the power to regulate the value of foreign coin, which would help to stabilize the economy and promote financial stability.