Articles of Confederation: The Articles of Confederation were America's first written constitution that established a weak central government with most power residing in individual states.
Shays' Rebellion: Shays' Rebellion was an armed uprising by farmers in Massachusetts against high taxes and debt, highlighting how the national government under the Articles couldn't effectively respond to internal unrest.
Constitutional Convention: The Constitutional Convention was a meeting held in Philadelphia where delegates from different states gathered to revise or replace the Articles of Confederation, eventually leading to drafting and adoption of the U.S. Constitution.