Articles of Confederation and Shays' Rebellion

Front

What are the Articles of Confederation?

Back

The name of the first system of government used by the United States

Front

Why did the authors of the Articles of Confederation create such a weak national government?

Back

They wanted to avoid creating a dictatorship where states were told what to do by a larger national power.

Front

Why were many farmers poor and in debt in Massachusetts?

Back

They were not paid for their service as soldiers in the Revolutionary War.

Front

What did Massachusetts courts do when farmers could not pay their debts in gold or silver?

Back

They seized and sold farmers' land, livestock, and crops.

Front

How many farmers were involved in Shays' Rebellion?

Back

1,500

Front

How long did Shays' Rebellion last?

Back

Two years

Front

What happened as a result of Shays' Rebellion?

Back

The Constitutional Convention meeting was called to discuss the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.