Articles of Confederation and Shays Rebellion

Shays' Rebellion highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, particularly the inability to levy taxes and mobilize a military. Economic hardships led Daniel Shays and others to rebel against the Massachusetts government. The rebellion underscored the need for a stronger central government, leading to the drafting of the U.S. Constitution.

What was the primary document governing the United States before the Constitution?

• The Bill of Rights

• The Articles of Confederation

• The Federalist Papers

• The Declaration of Independence

What was a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

• It required unanimous consent for amendments

• It did not allow the central government to levy taxes

• It gave too much power to the central government

• It allowed states to print their own money

Why were Revolutionary War veterans like Daniel Shays upset with the government?

• They were not paid for their service

• They were taxed heavily on their crops

• They were not given land grants

• They were forced to join the militia

What economic practice made it difficult for farmers to pay taxes?

• Investing in stocks

• Exporting goods

• Subsistence farming

• Bartering

What was the government's response to Shays' Rebellion?

• They sent in the national army

• They negotiated with the rebels

• They ignored the rebellion

• They relied on state militia

Why couldn't the central government send in serious military forces during Shays' Rebellion?

• The states refused to cooperate

• The military was disbanded

• There was no immediate threat

• The Articles of Confederation forbade it

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

• The need for a stronger central government

• The effectiveness of state militias

• The importance of state sovereignty

• The success of the Articles in unifying the states

What was one of the powers that the new Constitution aimed to give the central government?

• The authority to appoint state governors

• The power to regulate interstate commerce

• The ability to declare war

• The right to print state currencies

Which state is humorously mentioned as needing to be kept on a short leash?

• Massachusetts

• Virginia

• New York

• South Carolina

What was the ultimate outcome of Shays' Rebellion in terms of government structure?

• The states gained more power

• The Articles of Confederation were strengthened

• A new constitution was drafted

• The rebellion was ignored