Final answer:
The US shifted to a strong federal government after the Articles of Confederation proved inadequate in areas such as taxation, debt management, and maintaining order, as emphasized by Shays's Rebellion, leading to the Constitutional Convention and the creation of the U.S. Constitution.
Step-by-step explanation:
The United States decided to create a strong federal government after the Articles of Confederation due to several debilitating weaknesses of the latter. The central government under the Articles was incapable of effectively taxing, paying down debt, raising an army, or managing economic downturns, illustrated by events like Shays's Rebellion. This inefficiency led to the Constitutional Convention, where a new framework was established forming a stronger federal system, while still preserving states' rights.
Shays's Rebellion was a significant motivator as it highlighted the inability of the national government to maintain order, pushing for a revision of the Articles. The creation of the U.S. Constitution addressed these concerns and introduced a balanced power structure between the national government and the states. Ultimately, the failures of the Articles of Confederation demonstrated the need for a more robust central authority to maintain unity and order in the fledgling nation.