The History Cat: The Constitutional Convention: Creating the Constitution

Explains why the Articles of Confederation were not strong enough to hold the country together. One result was a farmers' rebellion in Massachusetts led by Daniel Shays, which was precipitated by a debt crisis that caused many farmers to lose their farms. The debt crisis also impacted the state government, which could not raise enough taxes to pay for public services. Describes the Constitutional Convention in 1787 when delegates met to make changes to the Articles of Confederation. Debate raged on for a long time, much of it in deadlock, but eventually, an agreement was reached and Congress was formed.