Question

1. analyze weaknesses (ss.912.cg.1.1): list three major weaknesses of the articles of confederation. how did shay’s rebellion expose these weaknesses and encourage the move to ratify the u.s. constitution?

Explanation:

To solve this, we first identify the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation: 1. No Taxation Power: The national government couldn't tax states, leading to financial instability. 2. Weak Central Government: It had no executive or judicial branches, and Congress had limited powers (e.g., no power to regulate trade). 3. Unanimous Amendment Requirement: Amending the Articles required all 13 states' approval, making reforms nearly impossible.

Shay’s Rebellion (1786–1787), a revolt by debt - ridden farmers in Massachusetts, exposed these weaknesses. The weak national government couldn't raise an army to suppress the rebellion, showing that the Articles' structure was ineffective in maintaining order. This fear of future unrest and the realization that a stronger central government was needed to address economic and security issues encouraged the push for the U.S. Constitution’s ratification, as the Constitution aimed to create a more powerful federal government with the ability to tax, regulate trade, and maintain order.

Answer:

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation:

1. The national government had no power to tax states, resulting in financial difficulties for the government as it could not raise revenue to pay debts or fund operations.
2. There was no executive branch (e.g., a president) or a national judicial system, and the Congress (the only national governing body) had limited powers, such as no power to regulate interstate or foreign trade.
3. Amending the Articles required the unanimous consent of all 13 states, making it extremely difficult to adapt the government to changing needs.

How Shay’s Rebellion Encouraged Ratification:

Shay’s Rebellion, a revolt by Massachusetts farmers angry over debt and taxes, showed that the weak national government under the Articles could not maintain order (it lacked the power to raise an army to stop the rebellion). This highlighted the need for a stronger central government. The rebellion made many Americans fear that without a more powerful government, there would be more civil unrest and economic chaos. This fear and the recognition of the Articles’ inadequacies led to increased support for the U.S. Constitution, which proposed a stronger federal government with the ability to tax, maintain order, and address national issues.