After the Revolutionary War…
The country is a mess…
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States were not united
National Government = Broke
No Army!
And all because of our nation’s 1st
constitution…
– A GROUP OF FARMERS ALMOST
TAKE OVER THE STATE OF
MASSACHUSETTS!!!
2
Why were the Articles of Confederation so weak?
AoC writers disliked…
So under the AoC…
Taxation without
representation
The federal government
could not tax
Having to follow British
legislation
States had their own laws
and didn’t have to follow
other states’ laws
Lots of power was in the
king’s hands
No executive branch
leader (President)
The king could change
laws at any time
Any amendment required
all 13 states’ approval
3
What was the Problem?
• No taxes = no money…no war debts being
paid
• State government more power than
national government
• 13 mini countries rather than 13 United
States...
• No army for defense
• No leadership figure to take control
4
What was the Problem?
• No President…Leader of the army
• Since there was no executive branch and
national court system, the government
could not enforce its laws
• Any amendment required all 13 states’
approval, so the AoC was very difficult to
modify
5
Please read – Passage about
Shay’s Rebellion
• Answer questions to follow
reading in your small groups
6
• Did ALL Americans think the
Articles of Confederation were
too weak?
• How did Americas react to
Shays’ Rebellion?
Shays Rebellion Summary
Shays’ Rebellion- 1787
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During war more food needed
Farmers expanded farms with loans
After war demand for food is down
Massachusetts- 1787…2,000 farmers almost
took over state because they were being jailed
and having land taken
• Many farmers had fought in war
• Many never paid by government for fighting
Shays’ Rebellion Continued
• Daniel Shays leads rebellion.
• No national army = relay on militia to stop
him
• Shays’ Rebellion proves the Articles of
Confederation is a failing constitution
Review Video