In late 1786, farmers in western Massachusetts—facing high land taxes (and growing debt) and feeling that the economic (and governing) class in Boston didn’t represent them—took matters into their own hands. Under the leadership of Daniel Shays—the farmers organized themselves into an armed fighting force and marched through the western part of the state. Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress had no power to raise an army. They could ask the states for help—but they couldn’t force them to raise troops. As a result, a Massachusetts militia eventually put down the rebellion. For many in the Founding generation—including George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison—Shays’ Rebellion was proof that the Articles were too weak to govern the country. On February 21, 1787, the Confederation Congress did agree to call for a convention of state delegates to meet in Philadelphia for the “sole and express purpose of revising the Articles.”
Why couldn’t the national government stop the rebellion?
What about the Articles of Confederation made the central government weak?
How did Shay’s Rebellion lead to the Constitutional Convention?
What political leaders were upset by Shay’s Rebellion?
What political leaders were happy about Shay’s Rebellion?
How did the Constitution address some of the weaknesses exposed by Shay’s Rebellion?
How are the ideas behind Shay’s Rebellion still alive in American political culture today?
Would you have been for or against Shay’s Rebellion at the time?
Do you think America will ever put up with other rebellions against government power?
Remember!
Now, let’s commit this term to our long-term memory. On a scrap piece of paper, take 10 or 20 seconds to draw Shay’s Rebellion! Draw with symbols or stick figures if you wish. Nothing fancy. Don’t expect a masterpiece. No one else will see this but you. Look at your drawing. That’s all - now it’s downloaded into your memory. Destroy the piece of paper in a most delightful way.