major APUSH rebellions

Which rebellion in colonial Virginia exposed tensions between frontier settlers and the colonial elite, leading to a shift from indentured servants to African slavery?

Bacon's Rebellion (1676) — Led by Nathaniel Bacon, poor frontier farmers rebelled against Governor William Berkeley over Native American attacks and land issues. The rebellion was crushed, but it revealed class conflict and helped accelerate the move toward slavery.

Which Native-led uprising occurred after the French and Indian War due to British encroachment and resulted in the Proclamation of 1763?

Pontiac's Rebellion (1763) — Led by Chief Pontiac, Native tribes attacked British forts in the Great Lakes region. In response, Britain issued the Proclamation of 1763 to stop colonial expansion westward, frustrating colonists.

Which post-Revolution uprising by indebted farmers in Massachusetts revealed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

Shays' Rebellion (1786–1787) — Led by Daniel Shays, this rebellion protested high taxes and foreclosures. The inability of the federal government to respond effectively pushed leaders to call for the Constitutional Convention.

Which rebellion tested the strength of the new Constitution and showed that the federal government could enforce its laws?

Whiskey Rebellion (1794) — Western Pennsylvania farmers protested a federal excise tax on whiskey. President George Washington led a militia to crush the rebellion, proving the federal government’s strength under the Constitution.

Which violent slave uprising in Virginia led to harsher slave codes in the South?

Nat Turner's Rebellion (1831) — A slave preacher, Nat Turner led a violent revolt that killed around 60 white people. The rebellion was suppressed, but it increased Southern fear of slave revolts and led to stricter laws.

Which failed raid on a federal arsenal was meant to spark a slave uprising and further divided North and South before the Civil War?

John Brown's Raid (1859) — Abolitionist John Brown attacked Harpers Ferry to initiate a slave revolt. He was captured and executed. The North saw him as a martyr; the South saw it as proof of Northern hostility.

Which protest during the Great Depression involved WWI veterans demanding early bonuses, and ended with the military forcibly removing them?

Bonus Army March (1932) — Thousands of veterans protested in Washington, D.C. President Hoover ordered troops to remove them, which damaged his public image and showed the depth of the economic crisis.*