By J. A. Sacco

This first national constitution created a loose confederation, or league of states, in Congress drafted the Articles of Confederation under the leadership of John Dickinson of Pennsylvania. Congress’s power was limited to prevent the problems experienced under Britain. The Articles of Confederation was created by the Continental Congress.

European nations did not take the new nation seriously. Spain forbade American trade with New Orleans. Britain denied American ships access to the British West Indies and the right to export goods to Britain on American ships. Britain kept soldiers in frontier forts located in the Northwest Territory.

Growing problems led to calls for a revision of the Articles of Confederation. The nation’s debt was mounting. The economic depression was deepening as debts, bankruptcies, and foreclosures grew. Foreign nations did not respect the United States.

Shays’ Rebellion demonstrated the weakness of the national government. In 1787, Daniel Shays led about 1,000 farmers in a raid on a federal arsenal in Massachusetts to protest taxes and farm foreclosures. The revolt failed, but many people saw the unrest as a sign that a stronger central government was needed.