“Shays’ Rebellion"

Shays' Rebellion pertains to the armed revolt in western Massachusetts from 1786 to 1787. Shays’ rebellion is characterized as a political battle of armed protesters. The rebellion was led by Daniel P. Shays, a veteran of the American Revolutionary War, hence their name Shaysites (or “Regulators”) rebels derived from its leader. The Shaysites were comprised of disgruntled small farmers whose protests were fueled by huge debts and taxes. In order to meet their debts, many small farmers had to sell their land at a price lower than one-third of the prevailing fair market price to eastern Massachusetts real estate speculators. It led to extreme poverty for families that sold their land. It also meant the loss of their right to vote since this right was associated with land ownership.

Furthermore, rewriting of credit schemes which were allowed at Massachusetts at that period was strongly opposed by the wealthy and influential people such as Governor James Bowdoin. The punishment for inability to pay debts was often imprisonment. The farmers believed that the punishment did not fit the crime. It was seen as unfair treatment of the wealthy to the poor. The perceived injustice became the battle cry of the Shaysites.

The rebellion commenced on August 29, 1786. Initial protests were initially peaceful. A Massachusetts militia scored the victory against the weakened Shaysite forces on February 3, 1787. The cause Shaysite fought for however served as the impetus that formed the Constitutional Convention in May, 1787. One of the pressing issues tackled in the convention was the reevaluation of the Articles of Confederation due to its apparent lack when it comes to institutional response to the revolt.

Eventually the forces behind the rebellion were dissipated due to the growing economy and the elections that replaced the incumbent powers with individuals supportive to the rebellion. These elections, despite the prohibition, involved many of Shays' followers.