<P> The history of the United States public debt started with federal government debt incurred during the American Revolutionary War by the first U.S treasurer , Michael Hillegas , after its formation in 1789 . The United States has continuously had a fluctuating public debt since then , except for about a year during 1835 -- 1836 . To allow comparisons over the years , public debt is often expressed as a ratio to gross domestic product ( GDP ) . Historically , the United States public debt as a share of GDP has increased during wars and recessions , and subsequently declined . </P>
<P> The history of the United States public debt started with federal government debt incurred during the American Revolutionary War by the first U.S treasurer , Michael Hillegas , after its formation in 1789 . The United States has continuously had a fluctuating public debt since then , except for about a year during 1835 -- 1836 . To allow comparisons over the years , public debt is often expressed as a ratio to gross domestic product ( GDP ) . Historically , the United States public debt as a share of GDP has increased during wars and recessions , and subsequently declined . </P>
when did the us first go into debt
when did the us first go into debt
1789
1789