Curriculum Builder:
A Discussion Guide for the Video
"A Little Rebellion Now and Then":
Prologue to the ConstitutionCopyright Calliope Film Resources, Inc. Subject Areas: American History, Social Studies, The Constitution
Audience: JSCA
Length: 30 minutes - colorCONTENT This program dramatizes the crucial years of unrest leading to the Constitutional Convention of 1787. In Massachusetts, Captain Daniel Shays heads a rebellion of farmers and Revolutionary War veterans, hard pressed by inflation and unbearable taxation. Our program succinctly traces the spread of unrest in the new American republic, as conflict deepens between the cash-poor majority and the established merchant and governing elite.
Although Shays is defeated, the rebellion, which is symptomatic of unrest in other states as well, gives urgency to strengthening the union and to the debate over a stronger central government. Throughout a long hot Philadelphia summer, James Madison and other convention delegates debate proposals for balancing state and federal power, forging the Constitution of the United States.
A superb reenactment, accurately set in historic locations.
OBJECTIVES Viewers should be able to:
- Explain the economic situation in Massachusetts leading to Shays' rebellion
- Identify the parties in the struggle
- Describe the unrest in other New England states
- Relate Shays' rebellion and the other New England conflicts to the calling of the Constitutional convention
- Identify the "Virginia plan," one of the principal focuses of the Convention
SUGGESTED DISCUSSION AND ACTIVITIES Before viewing
Ask students to describe the form of government in the United States after the Revolution but before the Constitution. Did people generally think that things were going well and that the nation was prospering? Keep the discussion brief, using this to introduce a film that deals with events of this period.
After viewing
Ask the class to summarize the grievances of the veterans and farmers, and the response of the merchants who controlled the state government.
Discuss whether, in a democracy, Shays and his men were justified in taking up arms.
Discuss why Rhode Island's merchants were opposed to paper money. Was John Weeden justified in refusing John Trevett's money even if it meant defying the state government? Why?
Discuss Noah Webster's statement: "I would infinitely prefer a limited monarchy, for I would sooner be the subject of the caprice of one man than the ignorance of the multitude." (What might Webster feel about the quality of voters today?)
Samuel Adams (left) and Thomas Jefferson (right) expressed opposite opinions in
the aftermath of Shays' rebellion. In the views of these leaders, how much had the Revolution accomplished? What perils did the new republic face? How should the republic be kept safe?
- Adams: "Rebellion against a king may be pardoned or lightly punished, but the man who dares to rebel against the laws of a republic ought to suffer death."
- Jefferson: "A little rebellion now and then is a good thing. It is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government. God forbid that we should ever be twenty years without such a rebellion."
Discuss the "balance of power" sought by the framers of the Constitution. Elbridge Gerry warned that "more blood would have been spilled in the Massachusetts rebellion if Congress had meddled in it." Why did the individual states fear an abuse of power by a national government?
Stage a courtroom trial, putting an insurgent on trial for treason after the defeat of the rebellion.
Look up the "Virginia plan" defended by Madison and the "New Jersey plan" proposed by those favoring state sovereignty. Write a paper which compares and contrasts them. How would the United States be different if the New Jersey plan had prevailed?
To BUY a VHS cassette,
e-mail Calliope
or call us: 1.781.674.2926More about the Video
CURRICULUM BUILDERShays' Rebellion and the Constitution -- A Fact Sheet -- now with new links
Calliope HomeComments? Webkeeper
Updated Jan 1 2008