What event led to the drafting of the Constitution?

The drafting of the Constitution was a direct response to the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. After gaining independence, the newly formed United States operated under the Articles, which provided a loose framework for governance. However, it soon became apparent that the Articles were inadequate in addressing the needs of the country, leading to significant challenges.

Key issues included the federal government’s lack of power to tax, regulate commerce, and enforce laws. These limitations resulted in economic turmoil, inter-state conflicts, and an inability to respond effectively to domestic and international issues. Shays' Rebellion, an uprising by Massachusetts farmers protesting economic injustices, underscored the weaknesses in this system and highlighted the need for a stronger central government.

The desire to rectify these shortcomings was a primary motivation for the Constitutional Convention in 1787, where the leaders of the nation came together to draft a new governing document—the Constitution—that would establish a more effective federal structure capable of addressing the complexities of the new nation.