For your us history class, you are assigned to give a speech about how the us economy has significantly changed in the past 200 years. which us historical event would be most effective to reference in your speech?
a)flooding of new orleans, louisiana, after hurricane katrina
b) discovery of gold in california and the arrival of prospectors
c) development of urban sprawl around major metropolitan areas
d)transformation of midwest industrial towns into the rust belt
e) overthrow of the hawaiian monarchy and the us annex of hawaii

the correct answers are: 1) lay and collect taxes and duties; 2) pay debts; 5) borrow money;   6) regulate commerce with foreign nations.

article 1, section 8. refers to the powers of congress. according to the united states constitution: “the congress shall have the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the united states.”

the national congress's powers over the states were specific and definite: it had the sole power to negotiate treaties, declare war, and make peace. all powers not granted to congress were reserved for state governments. congress had no power to levy taxes, for example.