The country is a mess…
• States were not united
• National Government = Broke
• No Army!
• And all because of our nation’s 1 st constitution…
– A GROUP OF FARMERS ALMOST
TAKE OVER THE STATE OF
MASSACHUSETTS!!!
2

The Articles of Confederation1 st
Constitution of the US. Weak federal / national government.
FederalAnother name for national…typically referring to government

Please read – Passage about
Shay’s Rebellion
• Answer questions to follow reading in your small groups
• Prepare to share written summary with class
4

• Did ALL Americans think the
Articles of Confederation were too weak?
• How did Americas react to
Shays’ Rebellion?

Shays Rebellion Summary

• 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

• Daniel Shays leads rebellion.
• No national army = rely on militia to stop him
• Shays’ Rebellion proves the Articles of
Confederation is a failing constitution