Shays's Rebellion and the Early United States Quiz

What was the primary cause of Shays's Rebellion?

• Increased land taxes in Massachusetts
• British invasion of western Massachusetts
• Disagreements over the Articles of Confederation
• Lack of representation in state government

How did Massachusetts attempt to pay off its Revolutionary War debts?

• By increasing land taxes
• By borrowing money from other states
• By selling government property
• By implementing a new sales tax

What was the immediate effect of increased taxes on farmers in western Massachusetts?

• They went into deep debt
• They moved to other states
• They formed new political parties
• They increased crop production

What action did banks take against farmers who couldn't pay their loans?

• Foreclosure
• Imprisonment
• Debt forgiveness
• Mandatory labor

Who was Daniel Shays?

• A former Continental Army captain
• The governor of Massachusetts
• A wealthy landowner
• A British spy

What was Shays's primary goal in leading the rebellion?

• To shut down foreclosure courts
• To overthrow the state government
• To rejoin the British Empire
• To establish a new currency

What was the target of Shays's force in Springfield?

• A government building storing weapons
• The state treasury
• The governor's mansion
• A British fort

What broader issue did Shays's Rebellion highlight?

• Widespread economic hardship after the war
• Disagreements between states
• The need for a stronger navy
• Conflicts with Native American tribes

What economic problem contributed to people's inability to pay their bills?

• Currency shortage
• High inflation
• Foreign trade restrictions
• Excessive government spending

What weakness of the Articles of Confederation did the rebellion expose?

• The federal government was too weak
• States had too much power
• The judicial system was corrupt
• The tax system was unfair