After reading the excerpt from the text book:
1. What happened in Shay’s rebellion?
2. How is it connected to the Articles of Confederation?
3. According to the textbook, how did Americans respond?
After reading the letter from Jefferson:
1. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence (think about the Preamble). Do you think he wanted to see America form a strong central government? Why or why not?
2. According to Jefferson, have the colonies been peaceful or chaotic? Support your answer with evidence from the document.
3. Jefferson thinks the people at the Constitutional Convention are overreacting to Shays’ Rebellion. What does he worry they might do as they write the new Constitution? (Note: this answer is not in the document; you need to think).
4. What does Jefferson mean when he says, “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants?”
5. How does this document challenge or expand the information you read in the textbook?
