Which event showed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the need for a Constitution that balanced order and liberty?

Study for the VirtualSC Honors Government Exam. Practice with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each offering hints and explanations.

Shays' Rebellion highlighted the significant weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and underscored the urgent need for a more effective governing framework, which ultimately led to the creation of the Constitution. This event involved a series of protests and armed uprisings in the late 1780s, primarily driven by farmers in Massachusetts who were frustrated with high taxes and economic hardships. The inability of the federal government under the Articles to maintain order or to intervene decisively showcased the limitations of a system that lacked a strong central authority.

The rebellion revealed that the federal government could not quell domestic unrest or provide the necessary support to states facing crises. This failure to address the needs of citizens and to maintain public order fueled calls for a new Constitution that would create a stronger national government capable of balancing the need for order with the protection of individual liberties. The debates that followed highlighted the desire for a system that could effectively manage conflicts between state and federal interests, thus leading to a constitutional convention and the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.

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