I know that Shays' Rebellion exposed the weakness of the Articles of Confederation, but I would like something a bit more specific.  Was the key realization that the AoC did not allow for funds to be raised by the federal government to suppress the rebellion?  Was the suppression of a local Massachusetts mob even a duty of the federal government at the time?  Also, the Annapolis meeting (precursor to the Philadelphia Convention) to discuss the problems of the AoC took place in September of 1786, whereas Shays' Rebellion started at the very end of August 1786.  Was the Annapolis meeting a direct response to Shay, or was it something that would have taken place regardless?