1. Shays’s Rebellion
In partial-fulfillment of grade 8 Social Studies requirements
on May 20th, 2005 by Ashley Hu to Mr. Haskvitz

2. Causes of the Rebellion
 A depression occurred after the
end of the American Revolution
in 1783
 This affected many farmers,
especially those in Western
Massachusetts
 Economic value for agricultural
goods decreased
 High taxes from the government
were imposed due to debts from
the war
 Many farmers were thrown in
prison from debt after their
property was confiscated and sold
for one-third or less the original
price
Source:
http://barney.gonzaga.edu/~jleahy/
history/revolution.html

3. Main Events of the Rebellion
 At first, farmers merely demanded the development of paper
money to lead to inflation
 Inflation would assist the farmers in paying off debts
 Farmers also petitioned for lower taxes from the government
and a reform in the courts, since the courts were in charge of
the system of credit
 Farmers desired elected officials running courts rather than
appointed officials since many were run by wealthy groups
 A group known as the Regulators were formed because many
individuals in Massachusetts sought reform
 Initially, the farmers were not involved in any type of
violence; instead, the farmers focused on freeing farmers in
prison

4. Main Events of the Rebellion
(cont’d)
 As conditions grew worse, many
began to take action by refusing to
allow courts to have any further
hearings and throw debtors in
prison
 To do this, farmers armed
themselves and settled in front of
courts such as Pittsfield and
Northampton
 Leaders began to emerge to guide
farmers towards justice against
unfair actions
 One particular leader who was a
veteran of the Revolutionary War
was Captain Daniel Shays
Source:
http://www.people.memphis.edu/~
kenichls/2601Shays.html

5. Main Events of the Rebellion
(cont’d)
 When citizens of Massachusetts attempted to consult the government of
their hardships, the government not only ignored their pleas, but also raised
tax from fifteen cents to one dollar and seventy-five cents to pay off debts
of the war
 In August of 1786, the farmers’ anger could not hold any longer. Fifteen
hundred men armed with guns and swords kept the Northampton courts
from holding hearings of debtors
 Other mobs even hurt and insulted judges while liberating prisoners at
Great Barrington
 Desperate to prevent the rebellion from spreading, Governor James
Bowdoin began to enlist soldiers for the militia
 On September 25th to 25th, Shays led fifteen hundred men to the Springfield
Courthouse to prevent the hearing once again
 In retaliation, Governor James Bowdoin sent forty-four hundred soldiers in
the militia to force down the uprising

6. Main Events of the Rebellion
(cont’d)
 Shays did not receive this
information, so he continued towards
the arsenal
 General William Shepherd, who was
the head of the militia, commanded
that the men stop, but the farmers did
not, so the general fired a cannon shot
over them
 However, the farmers pressed
onwards and the militia once again
fired a cannon
 The cannon shot landed in the center
of the rebels
 Three rebels were killed and a fourth
severely wounded, and who later died
 After the shot had killed the men, the
rest of the rebels fled
 Following, the rebels planned to take
over the arsenal located in Springfield
before preventing a hearing in the
Hampshire County Court on January 25th
 However, Luke Day, another leader
of the rebellion, attempted to notify
Shays that there was a delay due to
heavy snows

7. Who Participated in the Rebellion?
 Former soldiers of the
Revolutionary War
 Farmers
 Surprisingly, many
wealthy families
Source:
http://www.bycamera.co.uk/gall
ery/pages/image1.html

8. Effects and Outcomes of the
Rebellion
 Rebels were captured on February 3rd of 1787
 Shays and the men he led were all sentenced to treason, but most were
pardoned by the John Hancock, who was a newly elected governor
 Though they were pardoned, Shays and the rebels were prohibited from
running in office, serving in juries, and voting
 Shays’s Rebellion exposed the flaws of the Articles of confederation
 Congress could not raise any taxes, so debts were unable to be paid (state
governments, however, were enable to raise taxes)
 Congress was able to call upon a militia, yet the soldiers were not paid
 In addition, though Congress could pass laws to regulate the actions of the
states, but the states were not obliged to obey them
 Congress could not pass amendments unless all thirteen states approved of
them, so the Articles of Confederation could not be edited
 Furthermore, Congress could not make certain decisions due to the fact that
each side of the discussion could not gain any majority

9. Effects and Outcomes of the
Rebellion (cont’d)
 A Constitutional Convention in 1787 was held
from influence of Shays’s Rebellion called for
a stronger federal government
 This lead to the development of the United
States Constitution today

10. Annotated Bibliography
Books:
American Journey, The (2000) Glencoe/McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Provided a brief overview of the rebellion in general, and explained the
cause
Richards, Leonard L. Shays’s Rebellion: The American Revolution’s Final
Battle (2002)
Explained the individuals who participated in the rebellion and what caused
them to join it
Starkey, Marion L. A Little Rebellion (1955)
Provided accurate information with no event missing. In addition, the book
explains the causes and effects of the rebellion.

11. Annotated Bibliography (cont’d)
Internet sites:
Calliope Film Resources (2000) Shays’ Rebellion
http://www.calliope.org/shays/shays2.html
Provided cause, effect and detailed events of the rebellion. Important individuals are also established.
O’Neill, Stephen C. (1998) Supreme Judicial Court Historical Society http://www.sjchs-history.org/Shays.html
Provided essential information on the rebellion, starting with the petitions then to the violent uprising. In
addition, the consequences of the rebels and outcome of the rebellion.
Vest, Rose (2005) Shay’s Rebellion http://www.homeofheroes.com/hallofheroes/1st_floor/birth/1bc3b.html
Discusses position of farmers as well as Shays. Events, causes, and effects are explained elaborately.
Encyclopedias:
Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, The, 6th Edition (2005) Columbia University Press
http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/history/A0844765.html
Important information on the rebellion explained, as well as a brief description of the aftermath.
Wikimedia Foundation, Inc; Wikipedia Encyclopedia (2005) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shays%27s_Rebellion
Information on leaders and overview of the uprising is clearly recognized.