ABSTRACT
Historians have generally agreed that the Nationalist movement of 1780-1783 emerged during the nadir of the Revolutionary War and sought to increase the powers of Continental Congress. Reexamination of the origins, composition, program, and purpose of the Nationalist movement reveals first that the initial impulse to strengthen the national government began in 1780, not 1781. Second, this impulse emerged primarily from the failure of congressional administrative policies and the terrifying consequences of military defeat. By almost any standard, congressional administration of the Continental army was inadequate through the war, as evidenced by the failure to furnish the army with sufficient food, clothing, camp equipment, and medical supplies. The idea of restructuring congressional administrative boards was only one part of the most comprehensive plan put forth by any Nationalist in 1780. During most of 1780 the Nationalists were a distinct minority in Congress. As a result, they had little success in implementing their program or relieving the distress of the army.
