Question

Which showed the weakness of the United States government under the Articles of Confederation?

Answer 1

You're right. D. Because Shay's Rebellion proved that the Articles of Confederation weren't strong enough to manage a developing nation. 

Answer 2

The correct answer is D) Shay's Rebellion occured 1786-1787.

The Northwest Ordinance was considered a success of the Articles of Confederation, not a weakness. This is because this law lead to the development of several states in the current day midwest.

The Laws of nation was published several decades before the Articles of Confederation was ratified in 1781. This is also true for the American Revolution, as it started 6 years before the Articles of Confederation were ratified.

Shay's Rebellion can be the only correct answer. This rebellion of Massachusetts farmers showed that the federal government was extremely weak, as they could not raise a military to put down this rebellion.