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An Empirical Test of Federalist and Anti-Federalist Theories of State Contributions, 1775-1783

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 January 2016

Keith L. Dougherty
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Abstract

This article tests Federalist and Anti-Federalist explanations for state contributions to the confederation government using data on troop requisitions from 1775 to 1783. The Federalists claimed that state politicians acted unilaterally and contributed when the Continental army protected their state's interests. The Anti-Federalists claimed that state politicians understood their duty to the Union and contributed to advance its needs. The results suggest that, with one important caveat, states contributed more consistent with the Federalist argument. This helps explain why the Articles of Confederation needed reform.

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Articles
Information
Social Science History , Volume 33 , Issue 1 , Spring 2009 , pp. 47 - 74
Copyright
Copyright © Social Science History Association 2009 

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