Question 16
What problem did Shays's Rebellion reveal about the Articles of Confederation?
Shays's Rebellion revealed a significant problem with the Articles of Confederation, specifically their inability to effectively address economic issues and maintain order. The rebellion highlighted the weaknesses of the national government under the Articles, as it was unable to raise an army and lacked the power to regulate interstate commerce or address financial problems. This uprising demonstrated that the central government was insufficiently equipped to handle internal conflicts and protect citizens' property rights, which ultimately led to calls for a stronger federal government and the need for a new constitution.
To understand the problem that Shays's Rebellion revealed about the Articles of Confederation, we first need to understand what Shays's Rebellion was.
Shays's Rebellion was an armed uprising that took place in Massachusetts from 1786 to 1787. It was led by Daniel Shays, a former Revolutionary War captain, and was fueled by economic grievances of farmers who were burdened by heavy debt and taxation. The rebellion was an attempt to prevent courts from foreclosing on their farms and seizing their property.
Now, to identify the problem it revealed about the Articles of Confederation, we need to examine the context of the rebellion. The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of the United States, in effect from 1781 to 1789. It created a weak central government and gave most power to the individual states.
Shays's Rebellion exposed a significant flaw of the Articles of Confederation, which was the lack of a strong central government with the ability to address domestic uprisings and maintain law and order. During the rebellion, the state government of Massachusetts was unable to effectively quell the uprising due to the limitations imposed by the Articles of Confederation.
The central government under the Articles had no power to tax or raise funds, making it difficult to maintain a standing army or respond to internal threats like Shays's Rebellion. Additionally, the lack of a strong executive branch further hindered the government's ability to take decisive action.
Consequently, Shays's Rebellion highlighted the need for a stronger central government that could unify the states, maintain domestic tranquility, and address economic and social issues. This realization eventually led to the drafting and ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 1787, which replaced the Articles of Confederation and established a more powerful federal government.