Shays’ Rebellion and the Articles of Confederation

Dates covered: 1781-1789

Contains affiliate links

If you appreciate these resources, please consider supporting me on Patreon to enable me to continue to provide more free resources.

Books: 

Shays’ Rebellion After the Revolutionary War ended in 1783, Massachusetts raised taxes to pay for the cost of the war. Many small farmers could not pay their taxes and so faced imprisonment. Farmers known as Regulators organized protests, and in 1787, a large group of Regulators led by farmer Daniel Shays marched on the U.S. arsenal at Springfield. The rebellion was quickly put down, but many government leaders believed that the country needed a stronger national government to deal with future rebellions, as well as the problems that had led to the rebellion in the first place. This led to the writing of the U.S. Constitution, the governing document that is still used today. Level 6.9. Middle to Older students. Massachusetts. 

Shays’ Rebellion Graphic Novel. In 1786, the Massachusetts government was seizing farmers’ lands and throwing them in jail for unpaid debts and taxes. But many people couldn’t pay because they had not yet been paid for fighting in the Revolutionary War just a few years before. Frustrated by this treatment, Daniel Shays led upset citizens in an armed revolt. Although their rebellion was short lived, it made clear to America’s leaders that the young nation needed to change its laws, paving the way for the creation of the U.S. Constitution. Mature Younger to Middle students. 

The Articles of Confederation Learn about the Articles of Confederation, one of the most significant documents in U.S. history. Find out about those who were involved in its creation and why studying this primary source is so important. Middle students. 

What Are the Articles of Confederation?: And Other Questions about the Birth of the United States In June 1776, colonial delegates to the Continental Congress began writing a document to set up a new country―with a government independent from Britain. The Articles of Confederation created a limited centralized government, with states keeping most of the power. After sixteen months of debate, delegates finally passed the Articles on November 15, 1777. But afterward, many conflicts arose. It became clear that the country needed―but also feared―a stronger central government. The states sent delegates to another meeting called the Constitutional Convention, out of which came the U.S. Constitution. Middle students. Pennsylvania. 

Movies/Videos/Documentaries

• Shays’ Rebellion Explained
• Shays’ Rebellion Explained(different video with the same name)
• The Articles of Confederation – History Simplified and Explained – (Summarized)
• The Articles of Confederation

Museums/Field Trips (including virtual): 

• National Archives
• Springfield Armory, Springfield, Massachusetts

Songs: 

• Daniel Shays Rebellion Song parody of (American Pie) Articles of Confederation (Kelis’s “Milkshake” Parody) – @MrBettsClass
• The Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
• The Articles of Confederation