Oklahoma Academic Standard 4. The student will examine the formation of the American system of government following the American Revolution.

Objective 5.4.1 Evaluate issues and events that led to the Constitutional Convention, including a weak national government and Shays’ Rebellion.

In a Nutshell

This objective examines the impact that Shays’ Rebellion, which revealed the effects of a weak national government during the years following the Revolutionary War. Students should understand that because most of the powers under the Articles of Confederation were granted to the states rather than the federal government, Congress could not enforce taxes, regulate interstate trade, or pay its war debts. Therefore, the new government could not operated satisfactorily, stabilize the economy, or form a military, if needed.

Teacher Action 

Student Action 

• Aid students to analyze the multiple causes and effects of Shays’ Rebellion on the nation’s stability and a call for governmental change.

• Assist students to compare perspectives of individuals and groups regarding demands upon the new nation’s government and the perceived weaknesses of national authority. 

• Explain the structure, responsibilities, and powers exercised by the national government as it operated under the Articles of Confederation.

• Explain the challenges people have faced and the strategies used to address local, regional, or national historical problems, such as issues created by a weak central government. 

Key Concepts 

Misconceptions 

• Daniel Shays, Shays's Rebellion, plight of farmers, national debts, taxation

• confederation, relationship of state governments to each other and to the national government

• weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, including inability to enforce laws, no power to tax states, no national court to resolve conflicts, no power to regulate trade with other nations

• Most students have very limited prior knowledge of an earlier form of government that preceded our present Constitution; therefore, understanding why a new system was necessary is important to understanding the changes implemented by the Constitutional Convention and the nature of the Constitution as a "living" document. 

Instructional Resources