US debt was its own revolutionary masterstroke that helped launch a global financial superpower

This article explores the historical origins of U.S. debt, tracing it back to Alexander Hamilton's 1790 plan to consolidate Revolutionary War debts. It explains how this decision established American creditworthiness and transformed the nation's financial standing.
Why it matters
Understanding the historical context of U.S. debt provides insight into the foundation of the modern global financial system.
Believe it or not, U.S. debt was once a source of national strength, before it became a sword of Damocles hanging over the federal government and the bond market.
Historical analysis that presents economic theory and history without partisan political commentary.
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