The Shays Rebellion (also Shays's or Shays') was an armed uprising in Western Massachusetts, United States, that lasted from 1786 to 1787. Many of the rebels, known as Shaysites or Regulators, were small farmers angered by high debt and tax burdens. The rebellion started on August 29, 1786. A state militia that had been raised as a private army defeated the main Shaysite force February 3, 1787. Most of the rebels were treated leniently. The lack of an institutional response to the uprising led to a re-evaluation of the Articles of Confederation, which were highly ineffective as a governing document, and the negotiations for a new Constitution. Western Massachusetts is a geographical region of the state of Massachusetts which contains the Berkshires and the Pioneer Valley. ... 1786 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... 1787 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... The Shaysites, who called themselves Regulators, were the group of rebels that followed Daniel Shays and Luke Day during Shays Rebellion in 1786. ... August 29 is the 241st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (242nd in leap years), with 124 days remaining. ... 1786 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... A militia is a group of citizens organized to provide paramilitary service. ... February 3 is the 34th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 1787 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... The Articles of Confederation The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, commonly known as the Articles of Confederation, formed the first governing document of the United States of America. ...

Background

Rebellion was led by Daniel Shays, a war veteran. The crisis leading to the rebellion was precipitated by credit problems incurred after the American Revolutionary War, when many of the trade benefits of British colonialism vanished and British companies began to demand payment of debts. This debt ultimately trickled down to consumers, in large part to small farmers. In addition, the tax system at the time was highly regressive. As a result, many small farmers were forced to sell their land to meet their debts, often at less than one-third of fair market price. Combatants American Revolutionaries, France,Netherlands, allies British Empire, allies Commanders George Washington Comte de Rochambeau Nathanael Greene William Howe Henry Clinton Charles Cornwallis Strength {{{strength1}}} {{{strength2}}} Casualties {{{casualties1}}} {{{casualties2}}} The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known as the American War for Independence, was the military side of the American... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Furthermore, Massachusetts rewrote credit schemes at the time, to be staffed by elected rather than appointed officials. These efforts were resisted and stymied by wealthy and influential parties, led by men like James Bowdoin who had strong control of the government because of the property eligibility requirements for office at the time. When Bowdoin was elected governor, many of the people in Western Massachusetts became restless — and thus rebelled. This episode of civil unrest led to the Constitutional Convention and the "revision" of the Articles of Confederation (More or less, the US Constitution). Official language(s) English Capital Boston Largest city Boston Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 44th 10,555 mi²; 27,360 km² 183 mi; 295 km 113 mi; 182 km 13. ... James Bowdoin James Bowdoin (August 7, 1726-November 6, 1790) was an American political and intellectual leader from Boston, Massachusetts during the American Revolution. ... Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States, by Howard Chandler Christy. ... The Articles of Confederation The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, commonly known as the Articles of Confederation, formed the first governing document of the United States of America. ... Page I of the Constitution of the United States of America Page II of the United States Constitution Page III of the United States Constitution Page IV of the United States Constitution The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America and is...

Rebellion

Calling themselves Regulators, men from all over the western and central parts of the state began to agitate for change. Initial disturbances were mostly peaceful and centered primarily on freeing incarcerated farmers from debtor's prisons. In the late summer of 1786 the conflict escalated when armed Regulators shut down debtor courts in Northampton, Worcester, Concord, and elsewhere. After the passage of the Riot Act, the Regulators seized arms from the Springfield Armory. Militia groups called out to fight the Regulators often switched sides. A debtors prison is a prison for people unable to pay a debt to another. ... 1786 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Northampton, Massachusetts Main Street Northampton is a city located in Hampshire County, Massachusetts in the USA. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 28,978. ... Nickname: The Heart of the Commonwealth, The City of the Seven Hills, Wormtown, Woo-town, Wortown (war-town), The City of Diners Motto: Official website: www. ... Seal of Concord, MA Concord is a town located in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. ... From 1794 to 1968 the Springfield Armory was a center for the manufacture of U.S. military small arms and the site of many important technological advances. ... A militia is a group of citizens organized to provide paramilitary service. ...

The rebellion eventually gelled into an organized army, led by one Daniel Shays, a farmer from East Pelham and a former captain in the American Revolutionary War. Another leader, Luke Day, was the son of a wealthy family in West Springfield. While the Regulators are usually thought of as a rabble of poor farmers, many of them were members of prominent local families, including the Dickensons of Amherst. In addition, many of the rebels were former soldiers who fought in the American Revolution. Daniel Shays (c. ... Combatants American Revolutionaries, France,Netherlands, allies British Empire, allies Commanders George Washington Comte de Rochambeau Nathanael Greene William Howe Henry Clinton Charles Cornwallis Strength {{{strength1}}} {{{strength2}}} Casualties {{{casualties1}}} {{{casualties2}}} The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known as the American War for Independence, was the military side of the American... The Town of West Springfield is a city located in Hampden County, Massachusetts. ... Amherst is a town located in Hampshire County, Massachusetts. ... The American Revolution is the series of events, ideas, and changes that resulted in the political separation of thirteen colonies in North America from the British Empire and the creation of the United States of America. ...

The lack of a standing army under the government of the time (set up by the Articles of Confederation) prevented Congress from sending Federal forces. Due to a lack of funds and some empathy for the Regulators, the Massachusetts legislature was unwilling to approve a raising of the militia. Desperate for a solution, Governor James Bowdoin and a number of Boston-area bankers then assembled 4,400 privately-paid mercenaries (who were later legitimized as a militia) under the command of General Benjamin Lincoln to quell what was becoming an increasingly effective rebellion. When the Regulators heard about the mercenary army, they planned to return to the federal arsenal in Springfield, Massachusetts for more weapons. A column of rebels led by Luke Day was delayed by heavy snows, but were repulsed by forces under Gen. William Shepard, allowing Lincoln's as-yet illegitimate army to seize the armory's weapons first. When the other column of Regulators arrived, an extended conflict between the rebels (of some 2000 men) and the Lincoln's army (of around 4,400 men) followed. In the end, this "Battle of Springfield" resulted in a rebel defeat, although only four rebels were actually killed. The Articles of Confederation The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, commonly known as the Articles of Confederation, formed the first governing document of the United States of America. ... A mercenary is a soldier who fights, or engages in warfare primarily for private gain, usually with little regard for ideological, national or political considerations. ... Motto: Nickname: City of Homes Founded May 14, 1636 Incorporated County Hampden County Borough {{{borough}}} Parrish {{{parrish}}} Mayor Charles Ryan (Dem) Area  - Total  - Water 86. ...

Defeat

Shays and his followers were pursued by General Lincoln's now-legitimate militia to Petersham, Massachusetts, where they were defeated on February 3, 1787. Shays and many of the leaders escaped to Vermont where they were sheltered by Ethan Allen and other prominent Vermonters. Vermont governor Thomas Chittenden is believed to have helped shelter these refugees while at the same time publicly decrying the practice. Shays himself was sentenced to death for treason but he and many other leaders were pardoned by the newly elected Massachusetts governor John Hancock. The breakup of this rebel army was followed by guerilla-style attacks on wealthy landowners, liberation of jailed farmers, arson and the like. The last known battle of this kind was fought in South Egremont. In the end, only two men, John Bly and Charles Rose, were hanged for their part in the rebellion. Petersham (pronounced Peters Ham, not Peter-shum) is a town located in Worcester County, Massachusetts. ... February 3 is the 34th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... Official language(s) None Capital Montpelier Largest city Burlington Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 43th 24,923 km² 130 km 260 km 3. ... An engraving depicting Ethan Allen demanding the surrender of Fort Ticonderoga Ethan Allen (January 10, 1738 – February 12, 1789) was an early American revolutionary and guerrilla leader during the era of the Vermont Republic and the New Hampshire Grants. ... Vermonters: people who live in Vermont, the 14th state to the join the union. ... Thomas Chittenden (January 6, 1730 – August 25, 1797) was an important figure in the founding of Vermont. ... In law, treason is the crime of disloyalty to ones nation. ... Portrait of Hancock (full portrait) Hancocks signature on the United States Declaration of Independence John Hancock (January 12, 1737 (O.S.) – October 8, 1793 (N.S.)) was President of the Second Continental Congress and of the Congress of the Confederation; first Governor of Massachusetts; and the first person to... The Skyline Parkway Motel in Afton, Virginia after an arson fire on July 9, 2004. ...

In exchange for amnesty, Shays' followers were banned from elected office for three years and were not allowed to serve on juries or vote. Eventually the force for the rebellion was dissipated both by an improving economy and by elections that replaced some incumbents with individuals sympathetic to the rebellion (including many of Shays' followers, despite the ban). The incumbent, in politics, is the current holder of a political office. ...

Constitutional influence

Shays Rebellion strongly influenced the decision to call for the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Fear of uprisings like Shays Rebellion were a motivation for creating a strong central government, especially the creation of a standing federal army. Twelve states sent delegates to the meeting in Philadelphia, and while their purpose was to change the Articles of Confederation, the subject changed to negotiations that were to lead to the United States Constitution. In addition many states moved their capitals to rural regions, where state governments would be better informed of local events and better able to control future uprisings. This article discusses the history of the United States Constitution. ... Philadelphia is a village located in Jefferson County, New York. ... The Articles of Confederation The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, commonly known as the Articles of Confederation, formed the first governing document of the United States of America. ... The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the United States of America. ... Uprising is another word for rebellion. ...

See also

• Whiskey Rebellion

The Whiskey Rebellion was an uprising that had its origins in 1791 and culminated in an insurrection in 1794 in the Monongahela Valley in western Pennsylvania by Appalachian settlers who fought against a federal tax on liquor and distilled drinks. ...

References

1. Richards, Leonard "Shays's Rebellion: The American Revolution's Final Battle." (2002)