Shays' Rebellion: The Farmers' Fight Against Taxation and Its Impact on America

After the Revolutionary War, American states faced debt, leading to increased taxes that angered farmers and veterans. This unrest sparked Shays' Rebellion in 1786, led by Daniel Shays, aiming to prevent tax collection and debtor imprisonment. The rebellion threatened Massachusetts, revealing the weakness of the Articles of Confederation, as the federal government lacked funds for an army. Wealthy Boston merchants raised a militia to suppress the rebellion. Although anticlimactic, the rebellion highlighted the need for a stronger federal government, influencing the creation of a new constitution.

What was the primary reason for the anger of poor farmers and war veterans after the Revolutionary War?

• The lack of representation in government

• The increase in taxes

• The loss of their lands

• The shortage of food supplies

What was the main goal of Shays' followers when they headed to Springfield?

• To establish a new state

• To negotiate with the government

• To seek refuge from the militia

• To seize weapons and force legislative change

What was the reaction of Massachusetts residents to the actions of Shays' followers?

• They joined the rebellion

• They were terrified

• They were indifferent

• They supported the rebellion

Why was the Massachusetts legislature unable to respond effectively to Shays' Rebellion?

• They lacked support from other states

• The Continental Army had been disbanded

• They were in favor of the rebellion

• They were preoccupied with other conflicts

How did the Boston merchants contribute to the response against Shays' Rebellion?

• They sought help from foreign allies

• They negotiated a peace treaty

• They raised a militia to confront the rebels

• They provided financial support to the rebels

What was the outcome for Shays and his followers after the rebellion was quelled?

• They fled to another country

• They were imprisoned for life

• They were pardoned

• They were executed

What significant weakness in the Articles of Confederation was highlighted by Shays' Rebellion?

• The lack of a federal judiciary

• The inability to regulate trade

• The inability to establish or fund an army

• The lack of a national currency

What did Massachusetts begin to offer locally after the rebellion was suppressed?

• Educational reforms

• Military protection

• Tax and debt relief

• Land grants

What was one of the major consequences of Shays' Rebellion for the nation?

• It led to the end of the Articles of Confederation

• It resulted in the creation of a new state

• It convinced people of the need for a strong federal government

• It caused a civil war

Who were some of the key figures that advocated for a new constitution following Shays' Rebellion?

• Thomas Jefferson and John Adams

• George Washington and Alexander Hamilton

• Benjamin Franklin and James Madison

• John Hancock and Samuel Adams