Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 of the Constitution gives Congress authority to regulate interstate commerce. It states that, “The Congress shall have Power … To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes.” This clause, the Commerce Clause, came into existence for the primary purpose of creating a strong national government, one that could regulate economic conflict, mainly in the area of trade, among the states. Such power was needed because the states were reluctant to relinquish the tremendous amount of economic independence they had enjoyed under the Articles of Confederation.