What was the reason for the Constitutional Convention?
The Declaration of Independence was signed in 1776 and a national government was set up during the Second Continental Congress.
King George III had abused his power and mistreated the colonies sparking the American Revolution. After declaring their independence, the states did not want the national government to have too much power. They drafted a plan for the new government called the Articles of Confederation, which gave more power to the state government than the national government. The people felt that a strong national government would take away the rights of the people. The national government had very limited powers:
Also, Congress (legislative branch) had little or no power
King George III had abused his power and mistreated the colonies sparking the American Revolution. After declaring their independence, the states did not want the national government to have too much power. They drafted a plan for the new government called the Articles of Confederation, which gave more power to the state government than the national government. The people felt that a strong national government would take away the rights of the people. The national government had very limited powers:
- no national courts (judicial branch)
- no president (executive branch)
- it did not have the power to unite the states
- no courts to settle arguments amongst the states (judicial branch)
Also, Congress (legislative branch) had little or no power
- it could not tax people
- each state had one vote in Congress
- the size of state's population did not matter
- Congress could not do anything without approval of 9 of the 13 states
The importance of Shay's Rebellion
In addition, there was little trade between the states and it was hard to make a living. Many farmers could not pay their bills, lost their farms, and were put in jail because of their debt. In fact, Daniel Shay, from Massachusetts, was a farmer with little money. In November 1786, he and a group of a thousand angry farmers were ready to fight the Massachusetts government. They attempted to shut down the courts from taking their property and imprisoning them.
This rebellion sparked fear amongst the other states. What if the rebellion spread to their state? The time to act was now!
Therefore, Congress agreed and called for a meeting in Philadelphia in 1787. The delegates of the states decided to get together with the purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation.
This rebellion sparked fear amongst the other states. What if the rebellion spread to their state? The time to act was now!
Therefore, Congress agreed and called for a meeting in Philadelphia in 1787. The delegates of the states decided to get together with the purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation.
The life of Daniel Shay:
Daniel Shay was born in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, in 1747. Both of his parents were Irish. Mr. Shay played an important part in the Revolutionary War and in Shay's Rebellion.
While he was in the Revolutionary War he served the Battle of Lexington, Battle of Bunker Hill, and the Battle of Saratoga.
In 1780, he quit the army and went to go live in Pelham to start farming. He started the rebellion because a lot of farmers were getting arrested, going to jail, and unable to pay their dues. This was the start of Shays Rebellion.
Affter his Rebelliion, Shay's wife Abigail Gilbert, died and he married Rhoda Havens, a widow. In 1825, Shay died at the age of 84. He died in Sparta, New York, and then was burried in Conesus, New York.
While he was in the Revolutionary War he served the Battle of Lexington, Battle of Bunker Hill, and the Battle of Saratoga.
In 1780, he quit the army and went to go live in Pelham to start farming. He started the rebellion because a lot of farmers were getting arrested, going to jail, and unable to pay their dues. This was the start of Shays Rebellion.
Affter his Rebelliion, Shay's wife Abigail Gilbert, died and he married Rhoda Havens, a widow. In 1825, Shay died at the age of 84. He died in Sparta, New York, and then was burried in Conesus, New York.