“The commotion in Massachusetts has been great and alarming…The men who have taken up arms in that State are, mostly, men of desperate fortunes, and light principles…They have determined to break up the courts of justice, to prevent the collection of debts, public and private, and to compel the legislature to grant their demands…What is to give security to our rights and property? The executive of the United States has no power to interpose…if the powers of the National Government are not enlarged, we shall soon fall into a state of anarchy and confusion.”
Source: Henry Knox, Letter to George Washington regarding Shays’ Rebellion,
October 1786
Respond to parts A), B), and C).
A) Briefly describe ONE specific economic or social factor that contributed to the “commotion in Massachusetts” described by Knox.
B) Briefly explain ONE specific argument made by political leaders like Knox or Washington regarding the national government’s response to events like Shays’ Rebellion.
C) Briefly explain ONE major political outcome that resulted from the unrest described in the passage.
Answers – let’s take a look!
