Critical Analysis & Reasoning Skills Practice Questions: 2 | Critical Analysis & Reasoning Skills for MCAT PDF Download

In the late 18^th century, there were several uprisings in rural Massachusetts and other parts of the United States against taxation and economic hardships. These rebellions, including Shays' Rebellion, the Whiskey Rebellion, and Fries's Rebellion, occurred after the American Revolution. The response of the newly formed United States government to these uprisings provides insights into its evolving reaction to popular protest.

During Shays' Rebellion, the federal government had limited power due to the decentralized nature of the Articles of Confederation. Subsistence farmers and veterans who were burdened by debts and taxes initiated the revolt by shutting down courts and forming armed militias. The rebellion reached its peak when Daniel Shays led an attempt to seize a federal armory. Since the federal government lacked resources to counter the uprising, Governor James Bowdoin of Massachusetts sought assistance from wealthy merchants who funded mercenaries to suppress the rebellion.

The wealthy creditors, alarmed by the events in Massachusetts, played a significant role in the creation and ratification of the new Constitution, which established a stronger central government. When western farmers resisted the 1791 excise tax on whiskey, the federal government, now empowered by the Constitution, mounted a forceful response. President Washington personally led a federalized militia that successfully quelled the resistance. President Adams also responded harshly to a smaller rebellion led by John Fries.

Since the 18th century, there has been a trend towards increased centralization of power in the federal government. As the federal government has grown stronger, state and local governments, as well as the people, have lost their sovereignty. The wealthy interests, who had to finance the suppression of Shays' Rebellion, have shifted the burden of repression onto the people directly. This shift was evident in the coordinated crackdown on the Occupy movement in 2011, orchestrated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security. Ultimately, the people have exchanged one form of control (the British monarchy) for another—a bureaucratic system influenced by corporate entities and executives.
Q.1. According to the passage, which of the following is NOT true about the uprisings in rural Massachusetts and other parts of the United States?
(a) They occurred after the American Revolution.
(b) They were reactions to taxation and economic hardships.
(c) They led to the strengthening of the federal government.
(d) They involved armed militias formed by radicalized citizens.

Correct Answer is Option (c)
The passage states that the uprisings occurred after the American Revolution and were reactions to taxation and economic hardships. However, it also mentions that the wealthy interests who were creditors played a role in the creation and ratification of the new Constitution, which concentrated power in a more robust central government. Therefore, the uprisings did not directly lead to the strengthening of the federal government.

Q.2. What is the main difference between Shays' Rebellion and the Whiskey Rebellion?
(a) The federal government's ability to suppress the rebellions.
(b) The involvement of wealthy merchants in funding mercenaries.
(c) The level of organization and resistance displayed by the rebels.
(d) The specific grievances and taxes that sparked the rebellions.

Correct Answer is Option (d)
The passage mentions that Shays' Rebellion was primarily a response to debts incurred during hard times and taxes levied by the Massachusetts government, while the Whiskey Rebellion involved western farmers refusing to pay an excise tax on whiskey. Therefore, the main difference between the two rebellions lies in their specific grievances and taxes.

Q.3. According to the passage, what impact did the wealthy interests have on the new Constitution?
(a) They played a minor role in its creation and ratification.
(b) They sought to protect the rights of the rural citizens involved in the uprisings.
(c) They influenced the Constitution to concentrate power in a stronger central government.
(d) They advocated for greater decentralization and states' rights.

Correct Answer is Option (c)
The passage states that the moneyed and propertied interests, who were creditors, were unnerved by the events in Massachusetts and were instrumental in the creation and ratification of the new Constitution. It further explains that the new Constitution concentrated power in a more robust central government. Therefore, the wealthy interests influenced the Constitution to increase centralization of power.

Q.4. According to the passage, what is a similarity between Shays' Rebellion, the Whiskey Rebellion, and Fries's Rebellion?
(a) They were all reactions to British monarchy.
(b) They occurred before the American Revolution.
(c) They were all suppressed by federal militias.
(d) They involved armed militias formed by citizens.

Correct Answer is Option (d)
The passage mentions that in each of the rebellions, citizens formed armed militias in open rebellion against the ruling regime. Therefore, a similarity among Shays' Rebellion, the Whiskey Rebellion, and Fries's Rebellion is that they all involved armed militias formed by citizens.

Q.5. According to the passage, what is the author's view on the centralization of power in the federal government?
(a) It has led to greater sovereignty for state and municipal governments.
(b) It has been a necessary response to popular uprisings.
(c) It has gradually eroded the sovereignty of the people and local governments.
(d) It has successfully balanced power between the federal and state governments.

Correct Answer is Option (c)
The passage discusses how the centralization of power in the federal government has worsened since the 18th century. It states that as the federal government has accumulated strength, state and municipal governments, as well as the people, have lost their sovereignty. The author describes the federal government as a "modern bureaucratic behemoth" controlled by corporate entities and executives. Therefore, the author's view is that the centralization of power has gradually eroded the sovereignty of the people and local governments.