Articles of Confederation and Shays' Rebellion

Vocabulary flashcards covering the establishment, limitations, and eventual challenges of the Articles of Confederation, including the details of Shays' Rebellion.

Articles of Confederation

A loose union of states under Congress adopted by the Continental Congress in November 1777 that established a weak central government.

$9/13$ states

The majority required for new laws to be approved under the Articles of Confederation.

$13/13$ states

The requirement for any changes or amendments to be made to the Articles of Confederation.

Chief executive

A position that did not exist under the Articles of Confederation government.

National court system

A legal structure that was absent under the Articles of Confederation.

Economic impact of the Articles

The lack of power to tax or draft men led to a severe recession and economic slowdown in the US.

1786-87 Massachusetts Taxes

Increased taxes to pay off debt which most severely affected farmers, causing many to lose their farms.

Daniel Shays

The leader of 4 thousand farmers who went to a state arsenal to procure weapons during an uprising in Massachusetts.

State arsenal incident

An event where the militia defended an arsenal against 4 thousand farmers, resulting in the deaths of 4 farmers.

Outcome of Shays' Rebellion

An event that led many to realize the significant risk of having a weak central government.