Shays Rebellion Definition and Summary of the Shays Rebellion The economic crisis caused by the war debts incurred during the Revolutionary War led to the introduction of a high tax regardless of income. Gold and silver was scarce and paper money was printed which quickly devalued. Farmers in Massachusetts were hit hard, unable to sell their harvest or pay their taxes, their lands were sold at auctions at low prices and many were thrown in debtors’ prison. There were protests and riots which escalated into a rebellion led by Daniel Shays. Shays Rebellion began on August 29, 1786 and ended February 27, 1787. The Cause of Shays Rebellion There were many causes, but the primary cause of Shays Rebellion was the economic crisis in the country and the taxes introduced to pay the war debts incurred during the War of Independence. The causes of Shays Rebellion were politically significant and these, together with the rebellion itself, contributed to the publication of the Federalist Papers. Shays Rebellion occurred in which state? Shays Rebellion occurred in the state of Massachusetts. Who was the leader of Shays Rebellion? The leader of Shays Rebellion was called Daniel Shays. Daniel was the barely educated son of an indentured servant who rose from modest beginnings to purchase a small farm and serve as a captain in the 5th Massachusetts Regiment of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. After the war Daniel returned home to face the economic chaos and hardship suffered by the citizens of Massachusetts. Well respected in his community he was elected to represent them between 1782 and 1786 in county conventions to petition their grievances to the government in 1786. What was Shays Rebellion about? The Grievances The grievances of the Massachusetts farmers, their protests and their calls for action included the following in their petitions to the legislature in Boston from 1782-1786: Taxes to be cut Revision of the tax law to be based on income (this would help the poor and shift the burden to the wealthy) To issue paper money & make it legal tender - "Tender Laws" Institute "Stay Laws" (freeze) on payment of debts Accept a barter system as a form of payment Reduce legal fees of the courts and lawyers Move the location of the state capital inland, near the farmers so it would no longer be in the control of the commercial elite in eastern Massachusetts The proposals were repeatedly rejected. Shays Rebellion: Grievances and Protests Ignored By August 1776 the people had endured enough. Their grievances and proposals had been ignored. They decided it was time to take direct action. Shays Rebellion Significance Shays Rebellion began on August 29, 1786 and ended February 27, 1787. It only lasted for six months. Shays Rebellion raised crucial questions regarding the relationship of citizens to their government. Shays Rebellion Significance: Key elements and reasons for Shays Rebellion The War of Independence that brought the urgent need for a new government and a constitution It was necessary to take strict economic measures to clear the massive revolutionary war debt The United States was governed under a loose union of states by the Articles of Confederation and lacked the authority to regulate trade or to collect taxes - state governments had the majority of the power Americans were cut off from the British West Indies trade network, seriously affecting commerce The nation fell into a severe economic depression, with widespread price increases and unstable money Different laws were applied, according to will of each of the state legislatures The basic rights of American citizens were threatened The protests of many American citizens were treated with indifference Shays Rebellion Significance: Many problems with the system of government and the Articles of Confederation were highlighted due to Shays Rebellion which is why it held so much significance. The Articles of Confederation were effective from March 1, 1781 to March 4, 1789 and were the basis of the national government during and just after the Revolutionary War. The most significant problems highlighted by Shays Rebellion were: each state had the power to collect its own taxes each state had its own money and the power to issue currency each state had the power to provide for its own militia the federal (national) government lacked the power to compel states to honor national obligations the national government lacked the power to collect taxes or regulate commerce there were no courts to resolve issues among the different states American citizens were unable to identify with the central government. There was no executive branch, no president and no effective way to communicate. There was no national court system. Shays Rebellion Significance: Actions Taken Shays Rebellion Significance was that it highlighted all of the above problems. Various significant and important actions were taken to resolve the issues: Americans realized that the importance of a strong, central government the Philadelphia convention (the constitutional convention) met to discuss the issues the U.S. constitution was written federalist papers were published leading to the separation of powers in government and the system of checks and balances the decision was made for a president to be elected leader of the central government and the U.S. the Bill of Rights was added to the constitution the formation of political parties developments-federalists and anti-federalists Shays Rebellion Significance The US Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the freedom of the press, trial by jury, the Federalist Papers, the Separation of Powers, the System of Checks and Balances - the list goes on and on - the significance of Shays Rebellion to the history of America really shouldn't be underestimated! Your Assignment: You are a farmer who is about to lose your land. Write a one page letter (two pages if you write big) to Congress expressing your feelings toward the debt crisis and the Articles of Confederation. Write in your own words! Explain: who you are why you are upset what you feel is going wrong to cause you to be upset (what is wrong with the government) how this problem can be resolved when these changes should take place where these changes can take place