Shays's Rebellion

The Articles of Confederation created a weak central government. Under this system, the national government could not force states to pay taxes. As a result, it began printing money, lots of money to pay debts owed to foreign nations. The over printing of money led to inflation. Soon, many people refused to accept paper money for payment of debts, because it was not worth anything.

In Massachusetts, a law was passed that required all debts to be paid in gold and silver rather than paper currency. Farmers who did not have gold soon began to lose their farms when they could not pay for their farm loans. When the banks began foreclosing on farms across the state, Daniel Shays, and many of his neighbors, began attacking the courts to stop the foreclosures. Eventually, they made their way to the Massachusetts state house in Springfield. When the state asked the national government for help, they received none, because the government under the Articles of Confederation did not have the power to raise an army for defense.

Daniel Shays's rebellion was eventually put down by the Massachusetts militia, but throughout the 13 states, it was clear that changes needed to be made. Each of the states were experiencing the same type of financial problems as Massachusetts.

Today, we will take a look at the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, and begin some Constitutional Vocabulary. If you are at home, define or identify the items listed below using your textbook or any other resource you have available. These are due on Friday.

constitution
republicanism
limited government
suffrage
ratification
Articles of Confederation
Land Ordinance of 1785
Northwest Ordinance of 1787
Northwest Territory
tariffs
interstate commerce
inflation
debtors
creditors
depression
Shays's Rebellion
Daniel Shays
popular sovereignty
federalism
legislative branch
executive branch
judicial branch
checks and balances
Constitutional Convention
James Madison
Virginia Plan
William Patterson
New Jersey Plan
Great Compromise
Three-Fifths Compromise
amendments
Anti-federalists
George Mason
Federalists
Federalist Papers
Bill of Rights