Shays' Rebellion PDF

Shays’ Rebellion Written by: Bill of Rights Institute By the end of this section, you will: Explain how different forms of government developed and changed as a result of the Revolutionary Period war. They met in t...

Shays’ Rebellion Written by: Bill of Rights Institute By the end of this section, you will: Explain how different forms of government developed and changed as a result of the Revolutionary Period war. They met in taverns, churches, and town I ndependence did not bring economic prosperity to many parts of the United States. Great Britain meetings to plot their strategy. Beginning in late August, they armed themselves and converged on restricted U.S. trade with the Empire, especially the county courts, hoping to close them. They reasoned lucrative trade with the West Indies. As a result, that if the courts could not meet, they could not lose imports of British goods remained strong while the their property. export of American goods to Britain slumped. Continuing inflation made paper money virtually At the end of August, fifteen hundred angry farmers worthless. Meanwhile, taxes rose to pay off took up arms and seized the Northampton Revolutionary War debts and make up for the loss, courthouse. On September 5, the judges tried to at the end of the conflict, of foreign loans. convene their court in Worcester, but three hundred bayonet-wielding farmers blocked their access. Over New England, in particular, was suffering an the next month, the rebels shut down courts in economic depression. Merchants and shopkeepers Worcester, Middlesex, Plymouth, and Berkshire in eastern Massachusetts demanded the payment of Counties. In late September, a crowd of fifteen debts from hard-pressed western farmers, many of hundred led by Revolutionary War captain Daniel whom had overextended themselves during the Shays prevented the Massachusetts Supreme Court relative prosperity of the war years. Meanwhile, the from meeting in Springfield. Where authorities Massachusetts legislature raised taxes to pay the called out the militia, its members were locals who state’s wartime debt and meet the national either refused to muster against their neighbors and Congress’s requisitions of taxes from the states. kinfolk or who joined them. Farmers were burdened by high taxes and unable to pay their debts, especially mortgages. They were hauled before county courts, often losing their property and going to debtors’ prisons. In the summer of 1786, farmers in the western counties assembled to petition the Massachusetts legislature for relief. They asked that no taxes be collected for a year, that courts be closed so property could not be confiscated, and that a paper currency be issued to cause inflation, raising the price of farmers’ goods. Citizens from whom these farmers had borrowed money insisted, however, that contracts be honored. Critics called the farmers traitors and agents of the British, even though many were veterans of the Revolution. Some lenders, eager for the money farmers had promised to repay, insisted that debtors should be more industrious and live more frugally. Neither side provided an easy way to resolve the crisis. Leaders of the farmers’ movement called on the people to be Minutemen, ready at a moment’s notice to defend their liberty as they had during the Page 1 | LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS - SHAYS’ REBELLION  This woodcut, from Bickerstaff’s Boston “tyrannical government in Massachusetts.” They Almanack of 1787, depicts Daniel Shays, one controlled all the roads to Springfield, seized of the leaders of the rebels who rose up supplies going to the militia, and sent threatening against the Massachusetts government ultimatums to the militia commander. Of course, during 1786 to 1787. As a Revolutionary Shays’ enemies also considered themselves to be War veteran, Shays wears the uniform of Revolutionary War Patriots. Those in government officers of the Continental Army. considered their decision to increase taxes a necessary consequence of the need to pay for an Secretary of War Henry Knox asked Congress to expensive war. Others, who had agreed to loan send troops to quell the rebellion and protect the money to the western farmers, viewed the federal armory at Springfield, which stored seven repayment of debts as the upholding of the thousand guns, bayonets, artillery, and gunpowder. contracts that guaranteed their property rights. Congress agreed, but little money and few recruits were forthcoming from the states. In October, On January 25, the rebel army of almost two Governor James Bowdoin called the Massachusetts thousand advanced through four-foot snow drifts, legislature into session and warned that “wicked and urged on by Shays. When they launched a three- artful men” were conspiring to “destroy all pronged assault on the arsenal, the defending confidence in government.” The legislature provided artillery, “humanely wishing to frighten them to lay some relief by suspending debt payments and down their arms,” first fired over their heads. Yet the property foreclosures for several months. However, farmers kept coming. The militia fired grapeshot, it also passed several measures to deal with the killing four and wounding dozens. The farmers crisis. The Militia Act made it punishable by court retreated, and the battle for the arsenal was over. martial to join “any mutiny or sedition.” The Riot Act Most of the insurgents dispersed and returned to prohibited twelve or more armed persons from their farms. Shays and other leaders fled to Vermont assembling and empowered sheriffs to beat, jail, and New York to escape prosecution, although and kill rioters and take their land. Finally, the thirteen Shaysites were rounded up, tried for ancient liberty of the writ of habeas corpus was treason, and sentenced to death. The governor suspended, authorizing the roundup and detention pardoned them. Daniel Shays eventually received a without bail of suspected traitors. The legislature pardon as well. offered a pardon to any insurgent who swore allegiance to the government. Shays’ Rebellion greatly influenced many to support revising the Articles of Confederation to strengthen Most courts closed or recessed in October; the the national government. Governments not strong farmers went home to harvest their crops. Another enough to maintain order were too weak to protect round of troubles occurred in November and liberty. James Madison thought the insurrection December, however, when courts in Worcester and gave “new proofs of the necessity of such a vigor in Springfield were forcibly closed. The farmers the general government as will be able to restore continued their appeal to Revolutionary principles health to the diseased part of the Federal body.” and protested the suspension of habeas corpus. In early January 1787, Governor Bowdoin authorized Review Questions a force of more than four thousand men to be paid through privately raised funds. An army of nearly 1. Why did farmers in western Massachusetts begin two thousand was eventually placed under a to take up arms and march on courthouses in 1786? Revolutionary War general, Benjamin Lincoln, to a. The Townshend Acts severely taxed the secure “system and order” in the western colonists, and farmers in western Massachusetts countryside. Lincoln marched to Massachusetts were unable to pay the tax, Worcester to defend the courthouse, while a force of leading to the loss of their farmland. some twelve hundred local militia occupied the b. The Massachusetts government, under the Springfield Armory to deny it to the rebels. Articles of Confederation, faced tariffs from For their assault on the armory, Shays and other other states, causing the farmers to sink into insurgent leaders called on the farmers to drastic debt. “immediately assemble in arms to support and c. Massachusetts courts denied a farmer maintain not only their rights, but the lives and named Shays a fair trial for debt collection, liberties of the people.” Guided by the Revolutionary which angered farming communities on the principle that they had the right to overthrow and principle of due process. replace a distant and unresponsive regime, the d. To repay state war debts and meet insurgents announced their intention to smash the congressional requisitions for taxes, Page 2 | LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS - SHAYS’ REBELLION  merchants in eastern Massachusetts began d. French supporters of the Revolution saw a to request the payment of debts, prompting patriot in Daniel Shays and began to support the courts to take farmers’ land as payment. his rebellion against state governments by sending aid and troops. 2. Which of the following best describes the result of Shays’ Rebellion? 5. Which of the following best explains the economic situation in post-Revolutionary War America? a. Debts of the farmers were forgiven because merchants and governors realized the state a. France continued to support the new nation economy would ultimately benefit from with loans for small businesses so they could farmers’ success. compete with Great Britain. b. Many farmers returned home to their farms, b. After its defeat of Great Britain, countries although some fled across state lines. from all over the world were interested in c. The rebel farmers were tried and persecuted trading with America, which brought in large for their treasonous crimes in the very profits that supported the states. courthouses they had marched upon. c. The national government continued to use d. The Massachusetts government, realizing the the paper currency from the war because it need for a strong central government, invited was such a stable form of payment. the other states to a convention to revise the d. All the states were burdened with debts, and Articles of Confederation. as they struggled to pay them, inflation hindered the overall economy. 3. How was the perspective of Shays’ followers different from that of the Massachusetts 6. Why wasn’t the federal government able to government? support Massachusetts in putting down Shays’ Rebellion? a. Whereas Shays’ followers felt they were being patriotic in protesting a perceived unjust law, a. The federal government lacked the funds to the government thought it was enforcing the gather and send troops to New England. rule of law by upholding what the duly b. The Articles of Confederation explicitly stated elected legislative body had voted on. a national militia was forbidden. b. Shays’ followers wanted to overthrow the c. Shays’ supporters infiltrated the federal Massachusetts government, whereas the legislative branch and thwarted attempts to state governing body felt capable of fending put down the rebellion. off the rebellion on its own. d. Washington’s Continental Army was c. Shays’ followers wanted to ally themselves accepting the surrender of the British and with anti-government forces to protest taxes, couldn’t risk splitting troops. whereas the state continued to push for a strong central government. Free Response Questions d. Even though Shays’ followers were mostly urban dwellers, they were up against the 1. What was the impact of Shays’ Rebellion on state government, run primarily by planters the state of Massachusetts? from large farms. 2. Explain how the rebels’ understanding of their rights and individual liberty affected 4. How did Shays’ Rebellion catalyze discussion their decision to protest. about the national government? AP Practice Questions a. The success of Shays’ Rebellion made legislators wary of passing state taxes; Reactions to Shays’ Rebellion instead, they began to institute a policy of national taxes through the Articles of “What, gracious God, is man! That Confederation. there should be such inconsistency & b. It highlighted the weakness of the states and perfidiousness in his conduct? It is but the national government, because the states the other day we were shedding our could not control a rebellion and the national blood to obtain the Constitutions government lacked the money to support under which we now live – them in a time of crisis. Constitutions of our own choice and c. The dynamic between eastern framing – and now we are establishments and frontier farmers was a unsheathing the Sword to overturn common thread during this time, and no them! The thing is so unaccountable, change was discussed. that I hardly know how to realize it, or Page 3 | LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS - SHAYS’ REBELLION  to persuade myself that I am not b. The endangered superstructure to which under the vision of a dream.” Washington referred in this passage was the new republic under the Articles of George Washington to David Humphreys, December Confederation. 26, 1786 c. Washington warned that the only safe political creed existing by 1786 was the form “No Morn ever dawned more of government existing under the Articles of favourable than ours did – and no day Confederation, was ever more clouded than the d. Washington was pleased and hopeful about present! Wisdom, & good examples the “favorable morn” dawning in 1786, are necessary at this time to rescue because the authors of the Articles of the political machine from the Confederation had set such a good example impending storm.... Without some of wisdom and leadership. alteration in our political creed, the superstructure we have been seven “The moment is, indeed, important! If years raising at the expence of much government shrinks [backs away], or blood and treasure, must fall. We are is unable to enforce [carry out] its fast verging to anarchy & confusion!” laws; fresh manoeuvres [movements] will be displayed by the insurgents George Washington to James Madison, November 5, [protestors] – anarchy [lawlessness] & 1786 confusion must prevail [win out] – and Refer to the excerpts provided. every thing will be turned topsy turvey in that State; where it is not probable 1. Which of the following best describes the [likely] the mischiefs [troubles] will influence of Shays’ Rebellion on the mindset of many terminate [end].... U.S. political leaders such as George Washington? If three years ago, any person had a. It demonstrated to them the need for reform told me that at this day, I should see in the structure of government under the such a formidable [dreadful] rebellion Articles of Confederation. against the laws & constitutions of our b. It led many to change their stance on the U.S. own making as now appears I should Constitution from federalism to anti- have thought him a bedlamite – a fit federalism. subject for a mad house.” c. It caused some to favor a strong executive over a strong legislature. George Washington to Henry Knox, February 3, 1787 d. It demonstrated that citizens were not Refer to the excerpt provided. prepared to vote for their leaders. 4. The excerpt provided was most likely written in 2. Which of the following best explains why Shays’ response to which of the following? Rebellion garnered national attention? a. “Shot heard round the world” at Lexington a. It involved a large portion of the population and Concord on both sides of the conflict. b. Surrender of Cornwallis’s army at Yorktown b. It was the first significant instance of c. Decapitation of Marie Antoinette in Paris resistance to the new American republic. d. Shays’ Rebellion in Massachusetts c. It was the first test of the new Constitution, which led many to question its strength. 5. The excerpt provided most directly reflected a d. It portrayed the tyranny and domination of growing belief that the federal government under the Articles of Confederation. a. the Continental Congress needed to step down from leading the country 3. What did Washington mean by “the b. because of the weakness of the central superstructure we have been seven years raising at government, American Indians would gain the expence of much blood and treasure”? strength and return to reclaim their land c. the Articles of Confederation required some a. He was angry about the political machine reform that had taken over and corrupted the d. the Constitution was lacking a bill of Rights government of the United States just seven years after the Revolutionary War ended. “II. Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, and independence, and Page 4 | LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS - SHAYS’ REBELLION  every power, jurisdiction, and right, National Archives and Records Administration. which is not by this Confederation https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/0 expressly delegated to the United 1-09-02-0151 States, in Congress assembled. Washington, George. “George Washington to David III. The said States hereby severally Humphreys, 26 Dec. 1786.” The Washington Papers. enter into a firm league of friendship http://gwpapers.virginia.edu/documents/george- with each other, for their common washington-to-david-humphreys-26-dec-1786/ defense, the security of their liberties, and their mutual and general welfare, Washington, George. “George Washington to James binding themselves to assist each Madison, 5 November 1786.”Founders Online, other, against all force offered to, or National Archives and Records Administration. attacks made upon them, or any of https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Madison/0 them, on account of religion, 1-09-02-0070 sovereignty, trade, or any other pretense whatever.” Suggested Resources Articles of Confederation, 1781 Condon, Sean. Shays’s Rebellion: Authority and Distress in Post-Revolutionary America. Baltimore: Refer to the excerpt provided. Johns Hopkins University Press, 2015. 6. Which of the following was the main intent of the Richard, Leonard L. Shays’ Rebellion: The American second article of the Articles of Confederation? Revolution’s Final Battle. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2002. a. Prevent a tyrannical leader from usurping power, like the king of England did Szatmary, David P. Shays’ Rebellion: The Making of an b. Create a powerful national government with Agrarian Insurrection. Amherst: The University of the power to defend its borders Massachusetts Press, 1980. c. Articulate a Bill of Rights that would protect each citizen from oppression d. Establish a flexible government that could share power between state and federal levels 7. Which of the following best describes the impact on Shays’ Rebellion of the central government under the Articles of Confederation? a. The national government lacked the power by which it could bring order to the troubled states. b. The league of friendship created an interstate alliance that required nearby New England militias to support Massachusetts. c. Excessive tax collection by the federal government brought an influx of funds, allowing the state to lower its tax rates. d. The farmers’ liberties were secured by the Articles because they were protected by freedom of speech, petition, and assembly. Primary Sources Jefferson, Thomas. “Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 30 January 1787.”Founders Online, National Archives and Records Administration. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/ 01-11-02-0095 Madison, James. “James Madison to Edmund Pendleton. 24 February 1787.”Founders Online, Page 5 | LIFE, LIBERTY, AND THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS - SHAYS’ REBELLION