Answer:
paying for an army
Explanation:
The statement that describes the main reason the U.S. government needed to tax citizens after the American Revolution is "paying for an army."
This is because the United States government believed they need a standing army generally to protect the new country.
Also, should the British still come back for another war after the American Revolutionary war, as a result of conflict emanating between the two countries following the British restrictions on US trade? They can quickly raise an army to protect themselves.
