U. S. Constitution

first attempt at a government in the United States. Gave very limited powers to the federal government.

all the states had their own constitutions. They made their own money, had their own armies, and created their own taxes.

smaller states were upset that larger states had more land, which they could sell to pay off war debts, while the smaller states had to tax themselves more to pay them off.

areas in the Old Northwest were first considered republics, and when they reached a population of 60,000, they could join the union.

war debts, inflation, interstate trade

US owed a lot of money from the war, but couldn't tax, so they had no way to repay it

huge problem for the middle class. Congress tried to solve it by fixing prices, but it didn't work. Continental money was worthless, inflation caused by printing too much

states would tax/tariff each other and didn't even use the same money. Sometimes had to pay a toll to go to a different state.

a group of farmers that protested because they were losing their land. They wanted cheaper money, lighter taxes and suspension of mortgage foreclosures. Led by Daniel Shays.

convention occurred in Annapolis, Maryland. Only 5 states showed up though, so they couldn't do much to fix commerce.

he called for a convention in one year in Philadelphia to fix the whole articles.

(1787) delegates from all the states met in Philadelphia to "revise" the Articles, which is what Congress asked them to do. Most of them wanted to create a new document completely though instead of revise the Articles.

America was seen as weak

wanted America to pay back the money they loaned them during the war

"openly unfriendly towards America". They had a part of Mississippi, and created alliances with the Native Americans to make sure they were on their side, not the American's side.