Shay's rebellion showed that the government under the Articles of Confederation is weak. It is weak because it was not strong enough (doesn't have own militia unlike the federalist governement) to reppel the insurgency (rebellion), and it was unable to enforce laws reasonably and effectively (like the oppressive taxation that took away farmers money/ land, which was the main cause of Shay's rebellion). It wound down in 1787 with the election of a more popular governor, an economic upswing, and the creation of the Constitution of the United States in Philadelphia.
