Why We Needed a Constitution

• 1The Articles of Confederation were the first governing document of the United States.
• 2Under the Articles, the federal government struggled to raise money or maintain order.
• 3The Constitution was created to provide a stronger central government.

1. 1781

   The Articles of Confederation create a weak national government

2. 1786

   Shays' Rebellion breaks out in Massachusetts

3. 1786

   The Annapolis Convention calls for a meeting to fix the Articles

4. 1787

   Delegates write a new Constitution