The Shaysites, who called themselves Regulators, were the group of rebels that followed Daniel Shays and Luke Day during Shays' Rebellion in 1786. While the group began by practicing mostly nonviolent resistance, after the passage of the Riot Act the Regulators felt pressured to take up arms against the Massachusetts government. Daniel Shays (c. ... Shays Rebellion was an armed uprising in Western Massachusetts that lasted from 1786 to 1787. ... 1786 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... For the album by Pearl Jam see Riot Act (album). ... State nickname: Bay State Other U.S. States Capital Boston Largest city Boston Governor Mitt Romney Official languages English Area 27,360 km² (44th) - Land 20,317 km² - Water 7,043 km² (25. ...
Many of the Shaysites were veterans of the Continental Army who served during the American Revolution, including their leader, Daniel Shays, who had held the rank of captain. The Continental Army was the unified command structure of the thirteen colonies fighting Great Britain during the American Revolutionary War. ... Before the Revolution: The 13 colonies are in red, the pink area was claimed by Great Britain after the French and Indian War, and the orange region was claimed by Spain. ...
(2) Many Shaysites were "gentlemen;" many were members of the most prominent families in their towns; many were local leaders (militia officers and selectmen); many were former Revolutionary soldiers; a fair number were former officers in the Revolution; a few were even members of the Society of the Cincinnati.
Yet it also is true that the Shaysites, without a doubt, were opposed to a more consolidated government and the Constitution.
And many former Shaysites were delegates to the Massachusetts ratifying convention.
In an effort to avoid the blood that would be shed in the event of an attack, the commander of the local militia unit garrisoned at the arsenal-General William Shepard-sent his aids to warn the rebels that the armory would be vigorously defended and, if attacked, they would use their cannon to defend themselves.
Not to be deterred, and fully prepared to die, the Shaysites disregarded the warning and proceeded towards the garrison.
The new government eventually proved to be more negligent and vengeful than the previous one but by that time, the remaining Shaysites were too tired to fight, and many of the financial problems for resistance were minified by an economic upturn in 1788 that eased the credit situation.