Shay's rebellion skit & Reading

Narrator: Shays' Rebellion was an armed uprising that took place in central and western Massachusetts in 1786 and 1787. Named after Daniel Shays, a veteran of the American Revolutionary War and one of the rebel leaders, this event highlights the weaknesses of the United States' first government under the Articles of Confederation.

What was Shays' Rebellion?

• A celebration

• An armed uprising

• A war battle

• A movement to strengthen laws

Answer explanation

Shays' Rebellion was an armed uprising, not a celebration, war battle, or movement to strengthen laws.

Narrator: Shays' Rebellion was an armed uprising that took place in central and western Massachusetts 1786 and 1787. The rebellion was named after Daniel Shays, a veteran of the American Revolutionary War and one of the rebel leaders. The rebellion, and more importantly the reasons for it, serve as an example of the weaknesses of the first government of the United States, the Articles of Confederation. 

Who was Daniel Shays?

• A government official

• A British general

• A rebel leader

• An American President

Answer explanation

Daniel Shays was a rebel leader during the armed uprising known as Shays' Rebellion in central and western Massachusetts.

Narrator: Shays' Rebellion was an armed uprising that took place in central and western Massachusetts in 1786 and 1787. Named after Daniel Shays, a veteran of the American Revolutionary War and one of the rebel leaders, this event highlights the challenges faced by the first government of the United States under the Articles of Confederation. 

What did Shays' Rebellion reveal about the Articles of Confederation?

• Their effectiveness

• Their strength in unifying the states

• Their weaknesses

• Their role in ending the war

Answer explanation

Shays' Rebellion revealed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, as it highlighted the challenges faced by the first government of the United States under the Articles of Confederation.

Massachusetts Merchants: Hey farmers, we let you borrow food and supplies on credit during Shays' Rebellion. Now that the rebellion is over, you must pay it back.

Daniel Shays: I want to, all of us want to, but we are still waiting to be paid for our military service. The rebellion ended three years ago and we are still struggling to get paid. Rumor has it they are having trouble collecting taxes from the states to pay us! Until we get paid, we just do not have the funds to pay back these bills.

Why were the farmers unable to pay back the merchants after Shays' Rebellion?

• They were waiting to be paid for their military service.

• They spent all their money during the rebellion.

• They did not want to pay back the merchants.

• The merchants refused to accept any form of payment.

Answer explanation

The farmers were unable to pay back the merchants because they were waiting to be paid for their military service.

Daniel Shays: (To the Massachusetts government): I need the money you (a)   me. The local creditors are threatening to take my (b)   , but I can’t pay them. Do you know why? Because you still haven’t paid me for my service in the (c)   . Here’s my IOU. This means you owe me my payment!

• owe

• took from

• home and farm

• wife and kids

• horses

• American Revolution

• French and Indian war

• Treaty of Paris

Answer explanation

The correct answers are: 'owe' because Daniel Shays is asking for the money owed to him, 'home and farm' because his creditors are threatening to take them, and 'American Revolution' because he is referring to his service in the war.

Shays' Rebellion: – I’m sorry, Mr. Shays. I can’t repay you right now, but we are talking about ways to improve this government. At the moment, I can only request that Congress give me money to pay you. And since I cannot force them to pay, I can’t pay my debts either. I am sorry, but change is on the way! 

Why couldn't the government repay Shays under the Articles of Confederation?

• They had too much money and didn't know how to distribute it.

• They were not allowed to request money from Congress.

• They could request money from Congress but couldn't force them to pay.

• They didn't believe Shays deserved to be paid.

Answer explanation

The correct choice is that they could request money from Congress but couldn't force them to pay.

Small Business Owner: – I’m sorry, Mr. Smith. I can’t repay you right now, but we are talking about ways to improve this situation. At the moment, I can only request that my clients pay me sooner. And since I cannot force them to pay, I can’t pay my debts either. I am sorry, but change is on the way! 

What does the small business owner's response to Mr. Smith's request for payment indicate about their financial situation?

• They provided a strong, centralized financial system.

• They allowed for quick and efficient payment to suppliers.

• They lacked the power to enforce collection or payment of debts.

• They ensured all debts were paid immediately after receiving services.

Answer explanation

The small business owner's response indicates that they lacked the power to enforce collection or payment of debts, as they could only request clients to pay and could not force them to do so.

States: Maybe we need a stronger central government. After Shays' Rebellion, let’s meet in Philadelphia and discuss this. We should consider a two-house Congress to keep power balanced AND protect us from a tyrant: one house can represent the people and one house can represent the states evenly! 

What solution did the states consider after Shays' Rebellion?

• Dissolving the central government

• Meeting in Philadelphia to discuss a stronger central government

• Ignoring the crisis and continuing as before

• Electing a new leader to solve their problems

Answer explanation

The states considered meeting in Philadelphia to discuss a stronger central government after Shays' Rebellion.

States: Maybe we need a stronger central government. After Shays' Rebellion, let’s meet in Philadelphia and discuss this. We should consider a two-house Congress to keep power balanced AND protect us from a tyrant: one house can represent the people and one house can represent the states evenly! 

How did the states propose to balance power in the new government structure after Shays' Rebellion?

• By having a single-house Congress

• By creating a two-house Congress, with one representing the people and the other representing the states

• By allowing only one state to make all the decisions

• By eliminating Congress altogether

Answer explanation

The correct choice is by creating a two-house Congress, with one representing the people and the other representing the states, to balance power in the new government structure after Shays' Rebellion.