just five years after the articles of confederation were ratified in 1781, many americans were unhappy with the articles. many of the founding fathers thought that the articles had made the united states government too weak. shays' rebellion made it very clear that the national government under the articles of confederation was not strong enough. daniel shays, a veteran of the american revolutionary war, led the rebel farmers trying to overthrow the massachusetts government. the farmers had formed an entire army, which neither the state or federal governments had enough soldiers or money to fight. in desperation massachusetts offered to pay for a private army to fight the rebellion. finally, in 1787, that private army defeated the rebels.pp. 84–86