Final answer:
Option (a), The conflict known as Shays's Rebellion led to Americans advocating for a stronger central government after the uprising demonstrated the inadequacies of the Confederation government.
Step-by-step explanation:
Shays's Rebellion and the Call for a Stronger Central Government
When 4 farmers were killed by the Massachusetts state militia in a conflict known as Shays's Rebellion, Americans began to argue for a stronger central government. This uprising was a significant event that exposed the weaknesses of the Confederation government. In 1787, heavily indebted farmers, led by Daniel Shays—a Revolutionary War veteran—, protested against high taxes, crushing debt, and foreclosures. Their list of grievances included unfair taxation systems, a shortage of cash money, and inflated government official salaries.
The rebellion intensified to the point of taking over a courthouse to stop the trials of indebted farmers. However, the uprising was eventually quashed by a privately funded militia after the rebels' failed attempt to raid the Springfield Armory. The impact of Shays's Rebellion was profound as it led to the calling of a constitutional convention, where leaders would create a more robust and balanced federal structure.