Question

Shay's Rebellion

Primary Source Analysis
Subject:
Occasion:
Audience:
Purpose:
Comprehension Questions
1. According to the Newspaper, what was Shays' Rebellion?
Name:
Date:
2. How do you feel the author of the newspaper article feels about Daniel Shays, and what role did government
have in this feeling?
3. What danger did Washington envision when he wrote that if Shay's Rebellion succeeded "it is not probable
the mischiefs will terminate."
4. How did Washington explain his concept of national government, and how was it different to the Articles of
Confederation?

Answer 1

Shay's Rebellion was an armed uprising led by Daniel Shays and other farmers in Massachusetts in the late 1780s. It was fueled by economic distress and dissatisfaction with the state government. The rebellion was seen as a threat by the government, and George Washington expressed concerns about the potential consequences if it succeeded. He argued for a stronger and more centralized national government in contrast to the weak Articles of Confederation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Shay's Rebellion

Subject: History

Occasion: Economic distress and dissatisfaction with the Massachusetts state government

Audience: Newspaper readers

Purpose: To inform and persuade the public about the rebellion and its causes and consequences

Comprehension Questions

1. According to the Newspaper, what was Shays' Rebellion?
   Shays' Rebellion was an armed uprising led by Daniel Shays and other farmers in Massachusetts in the late 1780s. They protested against perceived economic injustices and the heavy debt burden imposed on them by the state government.
2. How do you feel the author of the newspaper article feels about Daniel Shays, and what role did government have in this feeling?
   The author of the newspaper article likely portrays Daniel Shays and the other rebels in a negative light, highlighting their actions as a threat to law and order. The government is depicted as a victim of the rebellion and acts as an enforcer of law and order.
3. What danger did Washington envision when he wrote that if Shays' Rebellion succeeded 'it is not probable the mischiefs will terminate'?
   Washington envisioned that if Shays' Rebellion succeeded and the government failed to suppress it, it could set a dangerous precedent for future uprisings. The rebellion could inspire others to challenge established authorities, leading to chronic instability and undermining the stability of the new nation.
4. How did Washington explain his concept of national government, and how was it different to the Articles of Confederation?
   Washington explained his concept of national government as a more powerful and centralized authority with the ability to enforce laws and maintain order. This was in contrast to the Articles of Confederation, which established a weak central government that struggled to maintain control and lacked the necessary powers to effectively govern the nation.

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