The weaknesses of the federal government as…
September 1786 CE
A vigorous debate is going on throughout the states on the need for a stronger central government, with Federalists arguing for the idea, and Anti-Federalists opposing them.
Historical opinion is divided on what sort of role the rebellion played in the formation and later ratification of the United States Constitution, although most scholars agree it played some role, at least temporarily drawing some anti-Federalists to the strong government side.
By early 1785 many influential merchants and political leaders were already agreed that a stronger central government was needed.
A convention at Annapolis, Maryland, in September 1786 of delegates from five states—New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Virginia—gathers to discuss and develop a consensus about reversing the protectionist trade barriers that each state had erected.
At this time, under the Articles of Confederation, each state is largely independent from the others, and the national government has no authority to regulate trade between and among the states.
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and North Carolina had appointed commissioners who fail to arrive in Annapolis in time to attend the meeting, while Connecticut, Maryland, South Carolina, and Georgia have taken no action at all.
The convention concludes that vigorous steps need to be taken to reform the federal government, but it disbands because of a lack of full representation, calling for a convention of all the states to be held in Philadelphia in May 1787.
Groups
United States of America (US, USA) (Philadelphia PA)
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Rhode Island, State of (U.S.A.)
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New York, independent state of
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Pennsylvania, Commonwealth of (U.S.A.)
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Delaware, State of (U.S.A.)
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Maryland, State of (U.S.A.)
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Virginia, Commonwealth of (U.S.A.)
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North Carolina, State of (U.S.A.)
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South Carolina, State of (U.S.A.)
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New Hampshire, State of (U.S.A.)
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New Jersey, State of (U.S.A.)
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Connecticut, State of (U.S.A.)
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Georgia, State of (U.S.A.)
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Massachusetts, Commonwealth of (U.S.A.)
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