Question

shays’ rebellion

1. describe what shays’ rebellion revealed about the articles of confederation.
2. explain why the government’s response to shays’ rebellion alarmed leaders.

Explanation:

Sub - question 1

Shays' Rebellion (1786 - 1787) was an armed uprising by Massachusetts farmers against economic injustices. The Articles of Confederation - established national government had no power to raise a national army to suppress the rebellion. The state of Massachusetts had to rely on a privately funded militia. This revealed that the Articles of Confederation created a weak central government with insufficient authority to maintain order and address domestic unrest. The national government lacked the power to tax (to raise funds for a military or to address economic issues), regulate commerce, or enforce laws across states, showing the inadequacy of the confederation system in handling crises.

The government's (under the Articles of Confederation) response to Shays’ Rebellion was ineffective. The national government could not act, and Massachusetts had to use a privately organized militia. Leaders were alarmed because it showed that the existing governmental structure (the Articles of Confederation) was unable to protect property rights, maintain social order, or defend the government from internal threats. It highlighted the need for a stronger central government with the power to maintain domestic tranquility, raise an army, and enforce laws. The rebellion demonstrated that without a stronger central authority, the new nation was vulnerable to civil unrest, which could lead to the collapse of the republic or foreign intervention.

Answer:

Shays’ Rebellion revealed that the Articles of Confederation created a very weak central government. The national government had no power to raise a national military to quell domestic unrest (Massachusetts had to use a private militia). It also lacked powers like taxation, commerce regulation, and effective law - enforcement across states, showing the confederation’s inability to maintain order and address crises.

Sub - question 2