The Political History of the United States 5.9 The Road to Philadelphia
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Dec 15, 2025 After Shays' Rebellion, tensions rose as delegates prepared for a crucial meeting in Philadelphia. The rebellion exposed flaws in the Confederation, sparking debates on governance and fiscal issues. Shays' actions united debtors in Massachusetts, leading to broader unrest across states. Key figures like Knox and Hamilton advocated for a stronger national government, while opponents voiced concerns. Internal divisions within states added complexity to the push for reform as factions debated the path forward.
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Annapolis Revealed Systemic Weakness
- The Annapolis meeting of 1786 exposed how sparse and ineffective interstate cooperation had become.
- Delegates concluded fixing commerce required broader constitutional reform, prompting a May 1787 Philadelphia convention.
Why Western Farmers Rose Up
- Shays' Rebellion sprang from worsening economic stress, including heavy taxes and debt with little hard specie.
- Western farmers sought relief and used court shutdowns to stop foreclosures and seizures.
Local Trouble Or National Symptom?
- Observers debated if the uprising was unique to Massachusetts or symptomatic of national failures.
- If systemic, other states risked similar unrest, turning attention to the Confederation's weaknesses.
