Lesson 8.1b:
Shays’
Rebellion
Essential Question
What was the
connection between the
weakness in the Articles
of Confederation and
Shays’ Rebellion?
VOCABULARY
arsenal: a building used for storing
weapons and ammunition.
debt: a condition of owing more than one
can pay back.
rebellion: an armed fight against one's
government.
mercenaries: doing military service for
pay alone
What We Already Know
When Britain
threatened the rights
of the colonists,
farmers and
merchants at
Lexington and
Concord rose up in
arms against what
they saw as injustice.
What We Already Know
The Americans fought an eight year war
to rid themselves of a strong and abusive
government. They were therefore
reluctant to
establish a
strong central
government.
Continental Congress
Declaration
of
Independence
1776
American
Revolution
1775-1783
1776
Northwest
Ordinance
1787
Treaty of
Paris
1783
1780
Land Ordinance
1785
1784
1788
Weakness of the Articles
of Confederation
By the end of the Revolutionary War, the
United States faced serious problems,
and the
Confederation
Congress did
not have
enough
power to solve
them.
The Articles
of Confederation
Weakness of the Articles
of Confederation
Congress faced serious debt.
They had to repay both
France and Spain the money
they borrowed during the
Revolutionary War.
Many soldiers who had
fought during the war had
not yet been paid.
Weakness of the Articles
Of Confederation
Even if Congress wanted to pay the
soldiers, it did not have the power to levy
taxes under the Articles of Confederation.
Congress depended
on the states to send
money to run the
government, but the
states sent very little.
Weakness Leads to Violence
Congress was not alone in
facing economic crises.
People throughout the
nation faced hard times.
In Massachusetts, the
economy was so bad that
people rose up in arms
against the government.
Shays’ Rebellion
In Massachusetts,
farmers who could
not pay their tax
debts lost their
land and were
jailed.
Shays’ Rebellion
This rebellion
was led by a
Revolutionary War
veteran named
Daniel Shays.
Shays’ Rebellion
In 1786, when the
state legislature
refused to provide
relief from their
debts, about 1000
farmers marched on the courthouse
in Springfield Massachusetts.
Shays’ Rebellion
When the judge saw Shays’
and his men surround the
courthouse, he suspended
any hearings and locked up
the courthouse. Shays’
men also succeeded in
closing the courts in
Worcester, North Hampton
and Concord.
Shays’ Rebellion
The State of
Massachusetts
asked Congress in
Philadelphia for
help in putting
down the rebellion.
Shays’ Rebellion
There was nothing Congress could do to
help; they had no army, huge debt, and
no leader. In addition, the Articles of.
Confederation
prevented the
national
government
getting involved
in state matters
Shays’ Rebellion
The Governor of Massachusetts got
wealthy businessmen to hire an army of
mercenaries to go after the rebels. With
the money they raised, they were able to
put together a force
of 4000 men to go
after the rebels
who now numbered
over 2200.
Shays’ Rebellion
To defend themselves against the
mercenaries lead by General Benjamin
Lincoln, Shay needed more weapons.
In January of 1787 Shay
and his men marched on
a federal arsenal in
Springfield,
Massachusetts where
they were met by the
mercenary army.
Shays’ Rebellion
In the battle that followed, the mercenary
army defeated Shays’ rebels. Four of
Shay’s men were killed another dozen
wounded and the men were scattered.
Although Shays’
protesters were
defeated, they won
the sympathy of
many Americans.
Get your sticks
ready.
Why was the Congress not able to
pay the soldiers who fought during
the Revolutionary War?
A. It still owed money to France and Spain.
B. Since there was no federal army, it was no
longer the responsibility of Congress.
C. The government was bankrupt after buying
Louisiana from France.
D. It did not have the power to levy (collect)
taxes.
(Choose all that are correct.)
What caused Shays’ Rebellion?
A. Slaves who overthrew their masters in North
Carolina
B. 1000 Massachusetts farmers marched in
protest about their farms being seized to pay
their debts.
C. Kentucky settlers demanding government
protection from Indian attacks.
D Rebellious Continental soldiers who hadn’t been
paid for their services.
What did Shay’s Rebellion lead to?
A. Strengthening the Massachusetts state
government.
B. Decreasing taxes for farmers.
C. Increasing the number in the Massachusetts
Militia
D. Strengthening the National Government