The Articles of Confederation (1781–1789)
- The Articles of Confederation created the first U.S. national government, emphasizing state sovereignty and limiting central authority due to fear of tyranny after colonial rule.
- The federal government had no power to tax, regulate interstate commerce, or enforce laws, relying instead on state contributions—weaknesses that led to financial instability and poor coordination.
- Events like Shays’ Rebellion (1786) exposed the government’s inability to maintain order or respond to crises, convincing many leaders that reform was necessary.
Definition
Shays’ Rebellion (1786–1787)
An armed uprising of poor farmers in Massachusetts, led by Daniel Shays, protesting high taxes, debt, and foreclosures after the American Revolution.
The 1787 Constitutional Convention
- The Constitutional Convention met in Philadelphia (May–September 1787) to address these weaknesses, producing a new framework that balanced power between state and national governments.
- The framers incorporated Enlightenment ideas, particularly Montesquieu’s separation of powers and Locke’s natural rights, aiming to prevent tyranny while ensuring effective governance.
Major Compromises and Provisions
- The Great Compromise created a bicameral legislature: the Senate (equal state representation) and the House of Representatives (representation by population).
