What did Daniel Shays do to prevent local farmers from losing their farms?
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31.) What did Daniel Shays do to prevent local farmers from losing their farms?
Transcribed Image Text:**Achievements of the First National Government**
The national government under the Articles of Confederation had limitations but made significant achievements. One major success was conducting the Revolutionary War under its authority and securing recognition of American independence by European governments.
*Image Caption*: **Molly Pitcher** carried water to the troops during the Battle of Monmouth in 1778. When her husband fell from heatstroke, she took his place.
One significant accomplishment of the Confederation government was the **Northwest Ordinance of 1787**. This defined the Northwest Territory and established a government plan. It outlined the process for transitioning territories to statehood north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi. The ordinance mandated that education lands be set aside and prohibited slavery in these areas.
The Confederation Congress could regulate the Northwest Territory, despite its ineffectiveness. By 1787, many felt that the government's power needed augmentation, prompting the creation of a stronger national government.
*Map Description*: The map shows the United States and its territories in relation to the Northwest Ordinance. The original states are marked, with disputed lands indicated.
**Reviewing and Using the Lesson**
1. Why did the Articles of Confederation lack provisions for an executive and judicial government branch? How did it handle fears of state dominance?
2. Identify weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and strengths of the national government during its rule.
3. Describe Shays’ Rebellion, its causes, and importance.
4. Define "faction" and explain why factions were seen as threats to natural rights by some Founders.
5. Compare the United States government under the Articles of Confederation with entities like the European Union.
This text provides insight into the accomplishments and challenges of early American governance under the Articles of Confederation.
Transcribed Image Text:**How did Shays’ Rebellion sow the seeds of change?**
Many people realized that the Articles of Confederation were weak, but it took a dramatic event to convince them of the need for a stronger national government. In 1786, a group of several hundred angry farmers in Massachusetts gathered under the leadership of Daniel Shays. Their intent was to attack the state government.
The farmers had serious economic problems. Those who could not pay their debts lost their homes and farms, and some were sent to prison. Discontent arose among the people and mobs prevented the courts from selling the property of those who could not pay their debts.
Shays and his men needed weapons for their rebellion. They tried to capture the arsenal at Springfield, Massachusetts, where arms were kept for the state militia. Although Shays’ men were defeated, the rebellion frightened many property owners who feared similar problems might arise in their states.
The fears raised by such conflicts as Shays’ Rebellion, combined with difficulties of raising revenues and regulating foreign trade, convinced a growing number of people to strengthen the national government. George Washington was one of these people. He wrote to James Madison saying, “We are either a united people or we are not. If the former, let us act as a nation. If we are not, let us no longer act a farce by pretending it to.”
**Image Description:**
Beneath the text is a historical illustration depicting a group of armed men, presumably the farmers led by Daniel Shays. The image captures the tension and unrest during the rebellion. The caption reads: "Why did Shays’ Rebellion force people to examine the weaknesses of the national government?" This prompts reflection on the impact of the rebellion in highlighting the need for a stronger central authority.
Expert Solution
Step 1
The Shays' Rebellion was one of the significant events in U.S. history. This event was significant because it made the government leaders bring changes in the structure of government and ratify the Articles of Confederation.
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