The Articles of Confederation, America’s first government, was designed to prevent a strong central government by giving most power to the states. However, this system created major problems because the national government could not tax, regulate trade, raise an army, or effectively enforce laws. Economic difficulties, disputes between states, and events like Shays’ Rebellion exposed these weaknesses. In response, leaders such as George Washington, James Madison, and Alexander Hamilton called for reform, leading to the Constitutional Convention of 1787. The resulting U.S. Constitution established a stronger federal government with the power to tax, regulate commerce, and operate through three branches with checks and balances, creating a more effective and unified nation.