Shays Rebellion

Shays Rebellion

By Darleen Perez

​Under the Articles of Confederation, the new nation had serious money problems. The paper money printed by Congress during the war was worthless. Congress had the power to make coins that would not lose their value. But itlacked gold or silver to mint into coins. The states reacted to the money shortage by printing their own paper currency. 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

What is one issue with the Articles of Confederation

• Water Isses

• Money issues

• Sun issues

• Clothing issues

Multiple Choice

Congress had the power to make coins that would not lose their value. But it lacked gold or silver to mint into coins.

• 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. 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.

Multiple Choice

Farmers have an issue with

• Their crops

• Taxes

Massachusetts Farmers Rebel

The Massachusetts government ended Shays’s 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.”

Multiple Choice

In 1786, Shays and his followers closed down _______ to keep judges from taking their farms.

• stores

• courthouses

• Banks

Multiple Choice

Who said :

“It is not possible that a government can last long under these circumstances.”

• James Madison

• Alexander Hamilton

• Thomas Jefferson

• George Washington

​A Call for a Convention

Shays’s 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 was ready. For the past year, he had devoted himself to the study of governments, both ancient and modern.

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

The goal of the convention was to..

• Throw away the Articles and start a new document

• Revise the Articles of Confederation

Multiple Choice

How does Madison feel?

• Worried

• ready