Question

document 1
the document below is an excerpt from a letter written by henry knox to george washington on october 23,
1786 describing shays rebellion.
the people who are the insurgents rebels... see the weakness of government. they feel at once their own
poverty, compared with the opulent rich, and their own force, and they are determined to make up the latter, in
order to remedy the former...
this dreadful situation, for which our government have made no adequate provision arrangements, has alarmed
every man of principle and property in new england... what is to give us security against the violence of lawless
men? our government must be braced strengthened, changed, or altered to secure our lives and property.
source: henry knox, oct. 23, 1786, letter to george washington
write a short response essay
about both documents
document 2
preamble
we the people of the united states, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic
tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to
ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the united states of america.
article 1, section 8
the congress shall have power...
to provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the union, suppress insurrections and repel
invasions;
to provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, the militia, and for governing such part of them as may be
employed in the service of the united states, according to the discipline prescribed by congress...
article 2, section 2
the president shall be commander in chief of the army and navy of the united states, and of the militia of the
several states, when called into the actual service of the united states...
source: united states constitution, 1787

Explanation:

Document 1 shows Shays' Rebellion exposed the weakness of the government under the Articles of Confederation. Document 2, the U.S. Constitution, addresses this by giving Congress power to suppress insurrections (Article 1, Section 8) and the President as Commander - in - Chief (Article 2, Section 2). The Constitution aimed to form a more perfect union (Preamble) to deal with issues like maintaining order and security that the previous government (as seen in Document 1) failed to do.

Answer:

The U.S. Constitution (Document 2) was a response to the weaknesses shown in Document 1 (Shays' Rebellion). The Constitution's Preamble about forming a more perfect union and its specific articles (like Article 1, Section 8 on suppressing insurrections and Article 2, Section 2 on the President's military command) were designed to address the lack of government strength and order - maintaining ability that Shays' Rebellion highlighted.