8.2: Shays' Rebellion and the Need for Change

Decide if each of the next 6 descriptions refers to the Articles of Confederation, Land Ordinance of 1785, or the Northwest Ordinance.

Multiple Choice

*Gave settlers all privileges but banned slavery.

• Articles of Confederation

• Land Ordinance of 1785

• the Northwest Ordinance

Multiple Choice

*Gave Congress the power to declare war.

• Articles of Confederation

• Land Ordinance of 1785

• the Northwest Ordinance

Multiple Choice

*Described how to develop western lands

• Articles of Confederation

• Land Ordinance of 1785

• the Northwest Ordinance

Multiple Choice

*Limited by inability to impose taxes

• Articles of Confederation

• Land Ordinance of 1785

• the Northwest Ordinance

Multiple Choice

*Defined a township as six square miles.

• Articles of Confederation

• Land Ordinance of 1785

• the Northwest Ordinance

Multiple Choice

*When populations reached 60,000, territories could apply to become a state.

• Articles of Confederation

• Land Ordinance of 1785

• the Northwest Ordinance

Vocabulary

Multiple Choice

A written plan that provides the basic framework of a government.

• A Resolution

• The Fundamental Orders

• An Amendement

• A Constitution

Multiple Choice

-The first written plan of government for the United States. A confederation is an association of states that cooperate for a common purpose.

• Articles of Confederation

• The Constitutional Convention

• The Federalist Papers

• The Great Compromise

Multiple Choice

To formally approve a plan or an agreement. The process of approval is called ratification.

• Enlightenment

• Republic

• Ratify

• Electoral College

Multiple Choice

a difference between two statements that means they cannot both be true

• dispute

• republic

• contradiction

• constitution

Multiple Choice

a strong disagreement

• dispute

• framework

• ratify

• compromise

Lesson 8: Section 2: Shays' Rebellion and the Need for Change

Under the Articles of Confederation, the new nation had serious money problems.  The paper money printed by Congress during the war was worthless, and although Congress had the power to make coins that would not lose their value, it lacked gold or silver to mint into coins.

The states reacted to the money shortage by printing their own paper currency, and before long, bills of different sizes and colors were distributed from state to state.  No one knew what any of these currencies was worth, but most agreed they were not worth much.

Multiple Choice

True or False:

Under the Articles of Confederation, each state printed its own money.

• True

• False

Massachusetts Farmers Rebel

The money shortage was particularly hard on farmers who could not earn enough to pay their debts and taxes. 

In Massachusetts, judges ordered farmers to sell their land and livestock to pay off their debts. Led by Daniel Shays, a hero of the Battle of Bunker Hill, Massachusetts farmers rebelled.

Multiple Choice

Who led the uprising of Massachusetts farmers to keep judges from taking their land?

• Sam Adams

• James Madison

• Patrick Henry

• Daniel Shays

In 1786, Shays and his followers closed down courthouses to keep judges from taking their farms.  Then they marched on the national arsenal at Springfield to seize the weapons stored there.  Having disbanded the Continental army, Congress was unable to stop them.

The Massachusetts government ended Shays' Rebellion in early 1787 by sending militia troops to Springfield to restore order.  To many Americans, however, the uprising was a disturbing sign that the nation they had fought so hard to create was falling apart.  “No respect is paid to the federal [national] authority,” James Madison wrote to a friend.  “It is not possible that a government can last long under these circumstances. ”

A Call for a Convention

Shays' Rebellion shocked Congress into calling for a convention to consider “the situation of the United States.” Each state was invited to send delegates to Philadelphia in May 1787 “for the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation.”

Madison, who had devoted the past year to the study of both ancient and modern governments, was ready.  The lesson of the past was always the same.  A nation that was made up of many groups needed a strong central government, or it would soon be torn apart by quarrels.  The question was, would Americans heed this lesson?

Multiple Choice

Why is Shays' Rebellion an important event in American history?

• It resulted in farmers gaining many of the rights they have today.

• It made Springfield the capital of Massachusetts.

• It showed that the federal government had enough power to rule effectively.

• It showed that American citizens respected federal authority.

• It caused lawmakers to reevaluate the Articles of Confederation.

Multiple Choice

What was the original purpose of the Constitutional Convention in 1787?

• to write the U.S. constitution

• to end the conflict in Massachusetts

• to rewrite the Declaration of Independence

• to revise the Articles of Confederation

Multiple Select

Click on the 3 CAUSES of Shays' Rebellion.

• Congress did not have enough gold or silver to mint coins, which caused a money shortage.

• The farmers were upset that they were not allowed to sell their crops.

• Farmers had difficulty earning enough to pay off their debts and taxes.

• Farmers were forced to sell their land and livestock to pay their debts.

Multiple Select

Click on 3 EFFECTS that resulted from Shays' Rebellion.

• Many Americans saw these things as signs that the new nation was falling apart.

• Congress called for a conventions to revise the Articles of Confederation.

• People like Madison concluded that a nation made up of many groups needs a strong central government.

• The founding fathers decided to revise the Declaration of Independence.