Social Studies: Chapter 10 Study Guide- The Government

A system that divided powers between the states and the federal government.

It is to give equal rights to each of the 3 branches of government .

A statute or regulation, especially one enacted by a city government.

A proposed law under consideration by a legislature.

A weapon storehouse.

A negotiation between two parties in which each party gives something up to reach an agreement.

A constitutional right to reject a decision or proposal made by a law-making body: "a veto over appointments to key posts".

To charge a public official

Division and allocation of the powers of government between its various branches

A change or addition to a legal or statutory document

The quality of being fair and reasonable.

The Articles of Confederation was the original binding document of the United States and served as the supreme law of the land from March 1, 1781 until the ratification of the United States Constitution (on June 21, 1788).

They did not work because they gave the federal government little power and gave the states too much power. The states acted as separate nations, yet still expected the federal government to handle everything. For example: the federal government was expected to pay the army, but had no means to do so.

Shays' anger began to fume during the postwar depression because the Massachusetts legislature denied the demands of farmers for paper money that would have prevented foreclosure on their lands. So many farmers began to lose their farms and all that they had. Shays was hit hard by the impact of the depression on not only himself, but seeing the effects that it had on his friends and family of the community. His response? Rebel and force the government to help out the people in the country for whom he had just risked his life. Shays took action immediately. He took charge of the insurgents at Springfield and forced the Supreme Court to adjourn. With these troops, he led a surprise attack on the government in January 1787. The government was shocked by not only his efforts, but also the support behind his efforts.

Shay's rebellion was important because it showed that the central government was very weak and showed that there were too high taxes and heavy debts.