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:
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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
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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:
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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:
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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
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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