Shay's Rebellion Lesson

Constitutional Convention

Mrs. Mutell

November 2/3, 2020

Shay's Rebellion

• 1786, Angry farmers in Massachusetts lead by Rev. War Capt. Daniel Shay

• Angry about state officials in MA seizing farmers' land if they couldn't pay their taxes to the govt. Saw it as another form of tyranny.

• Many of the farmers had fought in the Rev. War

• 1200 members of rebellion of farmers tried to seize an arsenal- military sent in to end rebellion. Four farmers killed.

• Scared the new US Govt. that they couldn't handle unrest and prevent violence.

• "Mankind when left to themselves, are unfit for their own government." George Washington

Multiple Choice

What were the farmers in Shay's Rebellion upset about?

• They didn't like George Washinton.

• They didn't want soldiers housed on their land.

• The government of Massachusetts was seizing their land because they couldn't pay taxes.

Multiple Choice

What did Shay's Rebellion make the US Government realize?

• That Massachusetts was unreasonable.

• People were ungovernable.

• The AOC wasn't a strong enough government plan.

• Taxes are always unjust.

Philly! 1787

• Many delegates believed the AOC could not be fixed.

• Delegates voted to keep the debates secret. Allowed people to speak freely.

• 55 Delegates- from 12 states/Rhode Island does not attend

• George Washington was voted president of the convention

• Several delegates had served in the war- but many were younger

• Alexander Hamilton was 32- from New York

  James Madison- 36- from Virginia

• Madison’s notes later become the historical record of the Convention