" Congress tried to pass an amendment allowing them the power to tax but failed because the Article of Confederation were too difficult to alter, because in order to amend them there needed to be a unanimous vote which was basically impossible to secure. "Every failure to find a remedy under the Articles of Confederation only served to augment the ranks of those who were ready for a complete reconstruction of the prevailing system." This statement made by Beard outlines the movement for the constitution; as it is a popular trend throughout America that as problems fail to be resolved people began looking for new ways to rectify them.
The state and national deficits were only one "economic force" that made the constitution become the law of the land. Other economic forces included the need for international trade which in turn is tied with the need for protecting the American industry. Establishing reliable trading routes would allow American products to be sold to a wider variety of people which would raise the revenue of the merchants and mercantilists. Also when the new constitution was passed it gave Congress more power and they were able to put tariffs on imported goods from foreign countries. This tax was another way the government could raise money to pay off their deficits. Tariffs would also protect the industry in America as they would make foreign products more expensive which in turn influences people to buy the products made in America. There was also a need for a national militant force. This force was needed to protect the people and the economy. America was a brand new country that was in danger of being taken over by other superpowers in the world, mainly Spain and France. Giving the national government the power to raise an army would also allow for more efficiency in protecting the western border from Indian attacks. However, Beard feels as though this force also could be used for ill; he describes this use when he states, "The army and navy are to be not only instruments on defence in protecting the United States against the commercial and territorial ambitions of other countries; but they may be used also in forcing open foreign markets.