The original States finally ratified the Articles of Confederation on MARCH 1, 1781. The Articles of Confederation were fully in effect as the government in the United States for over 6 years. In 1786, Daniel Shay began Shayâs Rebellion. Soldiers, who had received little pay for fighting in the Revolution, returned to their farms, only to find they were denied credit. With class taxes, town taxes, and state taxes, many became delinquent and tax collectors obtained judgements to evict farmers from their land. Four thousand disgruntled farmers joined in Shayâs Rebellion, 1786-1787, which almost toppled the government of Massachusetts. As divisions spread to other states, it became apparent that the Federal Government needed to be involved, as Britain might see the internal confusion as an opportunity to restart the war.