Independence and Economics 6/15/25

Federal Land Sales

After the war, the government sold land to pay off war debts

Soldier Payments

Soldiers were often paid with land instead of money

Articles of Confederation Issue

Washington believed it made the national government too weak

Constitution Creation

A meeting to fix the Articles led to writing the U.S. Constitution

State Power

Articles gave most power to individual states after the war

State Currencies

Each state had its own currency, which caused trade problems

Trade Problems

Different currencies made buying and selling confusing

Inflation

When prices rise and the value of money goes down

Inflation Effects

Currency became nearly worthless in early America

Why It Mattered

Economic confusion showed the need for a stronger national government