Changes

After the [[Revolutionary War]], the United States was more than 35 million dollars in debt, and that number only continued to grow.  The money from the sale of western land was paltry.  It could have paid only one-fourth of the government's expenses.  There were no national taxes, and requests for money from the states were ignored.  The state governments were having financial difficulties of their own.   

After the [[Revolutionary War]], the United States was more than 35 million dollars in debt, and that number only continued to grow.  The money from the sale of western land was paltry.  It could have paid only one-fourth of the government's expenses.  There were no national taxes, and requests for money from the states were ignored.  The state governments were having financial difficulties of their own.   

So Congress began to print paper money, and began to issue it in large amounts.  Predictably, inflation increased to the point where the paper money became worthless.  The paper money was then avoided.  People used European coins, made of gold or silver, as currency.  Since there was much less of this money than there had been of the printed money, rapid deflation occurred, causing a depression.

So Congress began to print paper money, and began to issue it in large amounts.  Predictably, [[inflation]] increased to the point where the paper money became worthless. (Inflation is when prices keep going up and up as the dollar loses its value.) The paper money was then avoided.  People began to prefer European coins, made of gold or silver, as currency.  Since there was much less of this money than there had been of the printed money, rapid deflation occurred, causing a depression.

Some states tried similar tactics, and Rhode Island even tried to force citizens to use its paper money, which people avoided because it was losing its value over time.

Some states tried similar tactics, and Rhode Island even tried to force citizens to use its paper money, which people avoided because it was losing its value over time.

==The Constitutional Convention==

==The Constitutional Convention==

It was economic and business concerns that sparked the first series call for a national convention to improve the Articles of Confederation.  In September 1786, nine (9) states accepted Virginia's call for a national convention on the issue of interstate commerce, which was trade between the states.  Under the Articles of Confederation, each state could impose taxes ("tariffs") on goods or merchandise shipped to it from another state, and these "tariff wars" disrupted the free market and impeded economic progress.  But only five (5) states attended this "Annapolis Convention," so it was a failure.  But it did something that proved to be historic:  it called for another constitutional convention to be held in Philadelphia.

Economic concerns sparked the first serious call for a national convention to improve the Articles of Confederation.  In September 1786, nine (9) states accepted Virginia's call for a national convention on the issue of interstate commerce, which was trade between the states.  Under the Articles of Confederation, each state could impose taxes ("tariffs") on goods or merchandise shipped to it from another state, and these "tariff wars" disrupted the free market and impeded economic progress.  Only five (5) states attended this "Annapolis Convention," so it was a failure.  But it did something that proved to be historic:  it called for another constitutional convention to be held in Philadelphia.

The Constitutional Convention convened in the summer of 1787 (May through September) in Philadelphia to strengthen the national government by modifying the Articles of Confederation.  Note that its original goal was to fix the Articles of Confederation, not to replace them, but once at the convention the [[Founding Fathers]] decided to replace the Articles altogether.  The Convention became one of the most important events in the entire history of mankind.

The next convention -- the famous "Constitutional Convention" -- convened in the summer of 1787 (May through September) in Philadelphia to strengthen the national government by modifying the Articles of Confederation.  Note that its original goal was to fix the Articles of Confederation, not to replace them, but once at the convention the [[Founding Fathers]] decided to replace the Articles altogether.  '''''This Convention became one of the most important events in the entire history of mankind.'''''

Every state sent representatives except Rhode Island.  Some sources claim that Rhode Island's "[[separation of church and state]]" laid the foundation of the Constitution.  But Rhode Island didn't even show up at the Constitutional Convention!

Every state sent representatives except Rhode Island.  Some sources claim that Rhode Island's "[[separation of church and state]]" laid the foundation of the Constitution.  But Rhode Island didn't even show up at the Constitutional Convention!