after the american revolutionary war, the framers of the constitution, like most americans of the time, distrusted standing (permanent) armies and trusted militias. after the revolutionary war, americans trusted state militias to defend the country. the articles of confederation, the new nation's first constitution, called for each state to maintain a well-armed militia. congress could call up the militias to defend the country against any foreign power. however, congress could only form a standing army if nine of the thirteen states approved. this was one of the weaknesses that led to the constitutional convention of 1787 and a new constitution.