The western Massachusetts uprising led to momentum toward which policy area?

• A. Strengthening the national government
• B. Economic reform
• C. Expansion of western lands
• D. Reduction of federal authority

Answer: (A)

Shays’ Rebellion showed that the government under the Articles of Confederation was too weak to maintain order, raise funds, or coordinate a response to unrest. That realization created momentum for strengthening the national government, ultimately guiding the move toward a new framework that gave the federal government more power in taxation, defense, and governing across states. While economic distress helped spark the uprising, the lasting policy direction was toward central authority rather than leaving power in the states. It wasn’t about expanding western lands or reducing federal authority.