Baack, B. (2001). Forging a Nation State: The Continental Congress and the Financing of the War of American Independence. The Economic History Review, 54, 639-656.
This article examines the evolution of the financial powers of the Continental Congress during the War of American Independence. The position taken is that the evolution which occurred can be viewed as largely one of attempts made by Congress to deal with the free rider problem which had been institutionalized by the Articles of Confederation. The article concludes by arguing that the financial powers granted to the national government under the Constitution reflect the path taken of instituional change during the course of the war.
