Changes in Government in rELATION TO THE rEBELLION
The Constitution that resulted from the Constitutional Convention had many aspects to it that differed from any detail outlined in the Articles of Confederation. Shays's Rebellion not only brought about the urgent need for the onset of such changes, but also ensured that future rebellions would be completely manageable in the hands of the federal government. The clauses that specifically relate to the way which the government was changed so that it would be able to deal with rebellions in the future are listed below. The effects of these clauses may be seen in the Whiskey Rebellion.
The Congress shall have Power To ...provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions... (1) "The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature can-not be convened) against domestic Violence. (2) Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. (3) |
This clause from the constitution directly states that the federal government has the power to put down any and all rebellions using the militia. This clause gives the federal government the power to
1) protect the states from violent uprisings within each state. 2) authorizes the legislature of each state (or the executive, if the legislature cannot be assembled in time) to ask for federal help to deal with riots or other internal violence. This clause shows that armed rebellion would be considered an effort to make war on the U.S. government. Crimes in the U.S. were defined by treason against the government and by stating the rebelling was a criminal action, the government hoped people would be discouraged to take part in any insurrections. |
(1) - U.S. Const. art. I, § 8, cl. 15. Accessed April 1, 2014. http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_transcript.html.
(2) - U.S. Const. art. IV, § 4.
(3) - U.S. Const. art. III, § 3, cl. 1.
(2) - U.S. Const. art. IV, § 4.
(3) - U.S. Const. art. III, § 3, cl. 1.