Role of Government.

The colonists were used to governments regulating their economic behavior. Even so, the government's presence in people's lives increased during the Revolution. In order to fight the war Congress and the new state governments intervened in the economy to a greater extent than they ever had previously. Although in the beginning the Continental Congress had little real power, it issued several resolutions. In 1777 Congress recommended that the state governments fix the value of most services and commodities. It resolved that the states should pass laws authorizing the seizure of goods for use by the Continental Army. Congress also suggested that the states control retailers by limiting their number and obliging them to obtain licenses. Beginning in 1780 a nearly bankrupt Congress turned to the states for specific supplies, to pay soldiers, and to take the severely depreciated currency out of circulation...