Today, we will discuss about Shays Rebellion. In the modern era, we’re accustomed to the ups and downs of the economy. In AP® US History, you’ll also learn that those ups and downs aren’t new at all. In fact, economic changes have impacted politics from the Revolutionary War era onward. During the Revolutionary War, the United States steadily accumulated debt, which eventually led to a financial crisis. At this time, the country did not have a centralized government strong or effective enough to tackle this obstacle. Financial crises of this size impact not only the government but also the people. High taxes, debt collection and other financial strains can cause significant harm to the population, particularly those in the lower classes. Eventually, financial crisis can lead to widespread rebellion, as it did in Massachusetts in 1786 and 1787, culminating in Shays’ Rebellion and attack on the federal arsenal in Springfield, Massachusetts, on January 25, 1787. In this review, we’ll more closely examine the causes and events of Shay’s Rebellion and its impact on the development of a centralized U.S. government.

What Was Shays’ Rebellion?

Shays’ Rebellion was a series of uprisings that occurred in western Massachusetts from 1786 to 1787. Financial strain from government debt and economic decline occurred throughout the young United States at this time, leading citizens to rebel against the government.

The Story Behind Shays’ Rebellion

War often brings a period of economic growth—weapons, tents, and even food for soldiers are all essential purchases for governments during times of war. During the Revolutionary War, the manufacturing industry grew dramatically in response to the increased demand for goods. However, as the war raged on, the government’s ability to fund the war diminished, and demand for goods fell. As a result, the manufacturing industry collapsed. This downturn nearly caused a crash of the entire American economy and resulted in an economic depression from 1770 to 1790.

The recession affected people of every economic class, from poor farmers to wealthy landowners and manufacturers. Since citizens could not afford many goods and services, manufacturers and producers were forced to reduce their prices to record lows. Price reductions hit local farmers especially hard. Low crop prices resulted in massive amounts of debt for farmers who could not meet their financial obligations or sustain their farms. With the nation in a severe economic depression, the Continental Congress had no means to pay the country’s war debts, including the salary pay of soldiers.

In Newburgh, New York, the issue of soldier’s pay became a particularly important political concern. Soldiers in Newburgh were unsatisfied with the aid—or lack thereof—they were receiving from the Continental Congress. The soldiers and their families were on the brink of starvation, leading to significant public resentment against the Continental Congress and, eventually, potential rebellion.

In 1783, a shocking incident occurred that showed that a revolt was brewing within the military system. A letter, written by an anonymous author, began to circulate through the hands of military officers in Newburgh. The letter criticized the Continental Congress for their apparent reluctance to fund the armed services for their hard work. The dispatch also suggested that the soldiers initiate an uprising against the government should they go unpaid for much longer.

The soldiers dismissed the idea of rebellion following a speech by George Washington in March 1783, but this did not completely resolve the growing tensions of a nation in severe economic decline. Other small-scale rebellions occurred both in the armed forces and in the civilian population during this time, eventually culminating in a much broader rebellion against individual state governments.

Many states thought it wise to begin printing money to make up for the rapidly increasing state debt. Printing more money resulted in increasing inflation and the steady depreciation of the dollar. To remedy this situation, the Continental Congress passed a series of Land Ordinances, allowing land northwest of the Ohio River Valley to be sold to private owners. Although these acts lessened some of the national debt, there was still a great deal of social unrest amongst citizens suffering from the recession. This unrest eventually led to Shays’ Rebellion.

What Caused Shays’ Rebellion?

Massachusetts was known for its very strict and conservative government. The government refused to print its own money to cover debts, choosing instead to pay off the balance by extensively taxing the citizens of Massachusetts. This tax fell most heavily upon the poorer classes of Massachusetts, including farmers and former military personnel.

When the Massachusetts legislature refused to relieve citizens of the burdens of such heavy taxes, the people decided it was time to take matters into their own hands. During the 1786 legislative session, the Massachusetts legislature refused to address a large number of petitions for debt relief. In response, protests grew, with a large number of people sympathizing with the protesters’ cause. A number of different individuals led the movement; however, history best remembers Daniel Shays. A former army captain and farmer, Daniel Shays rounded up a group of over a thousand angry farmers, eventually leading this group to march on the federal arsenal in Springfield, Massachusetts.

The protesters undertook a number of demonstrations between 1786 and 1787. They harassed local merchants and refused to serve in the local militia. In other states, like Rhode Island, protesters were successful at changing legislation without more drastic action, but this was not true in Massachusetts. The state of Massachusetts was significantly more conservative than some other early states in the new United States.

By November 1786, Daniel Shays had taken an active leadership role among the rebels and was one of a number of individuals indicted for rebellion. The rebellion was spreading and becoming a significant concern and inconvenience for the government.

On January 25, 1787, a large group of rebels, led by Shays and others, marched straight to the federal arsenal located in Springfield, Massachusetts. Many of these citizens had recently lost their homes and farms to tax delinquencies and mortgage foreclosures. While the assault on the armory was well-planned, in the end it failed in the face of state power and access to arms and armed men.

Massachusetts authorities were aware of and prepared for the assault on the armory. The governor had already ordered troops, with arms from the federal armory, to put a quick and relatively painless end to the rebellion. Cannons fired grape shot, or small metal pellets, at the rebels, killing four. Twenty others were wounded, and Shays’ rebels retreated from the assault. Massachusetts’ General Lincoln and his troops followed the retreating rebels, reaching them in Petersham on February 2; however, most of the rebels were able to scatter and escaped. The leaders of the rebellion, including Daniel Shay, took shelter in New Hampshire and Vermont.

What Was the Impact of Shays’ Rebellion?

On February 2, 1787, the state of Massachusetts declared martial law to bring an end to the widespread rebellion. Although he was later pardoned, Daniel Shays was sentenced to death for his crimes of treason. He hid in the woods of Vermont until his pardon. In total, some 4,000 individuals signed confessions about their participation in the rebellion, and a few hundred people were indicted for their crimes. Two were hung, specifically for their role in the attack on the federal arsenal.

Luckily for the lower classes of western Massachusetts, the rebellion did have some influence on the legislature. After a period of significant censure, the majority of the assembly pitied the rebels and gave them a substantial amount of debt relief. Support for appeasing the rebels was relatively widespread—their claims were valid and well-understood.

George Washington was among the minority that disagreed with appeasing the rebels. The effects of Shays’ Rebellion troubled Washington, inspiring him to lead discussions within the government to create a stronger, more centralized government.

Why is Shays Rebellion Important for APUSH?

In 2007, the CollegeBoard asked a free-response question about the causes and significance of Shays’ Rebellion. As a student of AP® US History, it is incredibly important that you understand the significance of the demonstrations. These events had a lasting impact on American history during the earliest days of the new nation. You should recognize how the revolt affected George Washington’s presidency and governance of the United States. Widespread American rebellion occurred before the Constitutional Convention and Washington’s presidency. The protests and other actions led Washington to support a stronger and more centralized federal government. Do you think that his views on Shays’ Rebellion helped or hurt Washington’s leadership abilities?

This article should have you on your way to a better understanding of Shays’ Rebellion, its impact on American history and, in turn, your AP® US History review. Take the time to think through the impact of the rebellion on the early years of the United States as you complete your APUSH review.

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