Shays Rebellion and why it matters today

when the revolution ended many soldiers returned to farm life in Western Massachusetts. But they faced a hard reality when they returned from war. Without military aged men at home, the farms and businesses of the region had gone untended or at least under staffed for years. This didn't stop the debt and tax collectors in Boston from charging them for every cent they couldn't pay while fighting for freedom. The governor and state officials began repossessing property and arresting borrowers. The rural towns tried appealing to capital hill but were seen as radicals. Massachusetts in those days was much like it is today. tax money and power mostly go to eastern mass, then some trickles down to Worcester, the last scraps end up in Springfield and anything past that doesn't exist. Anyway, in 1886 four thousand or so war vets formed the rebellion. among their leaders were captain Hines and war hero Daniel Shays. They began blocking the entrance to courthouses in places like Springfield and Northampton. This prompted Massachusetts officials to ask for federal help. When they were turned down and after Militia units in the western half of the state either refused to fight or joined Shays, the governor formed a new mercenary militia, funded by Boston's business elite. Caught between this group, headed by general Benjamin Lincoln and the Springfield militia, run by William Sheppard, the rebels made a bold attempt to take the federal armory in Springfield. Sheppard was waiting for the insurgents when they attacked the armory and they faced the mercenaries marching from Worcester on another front. They were scattered and most future skirmishes were small. The rebellion was finally ended when a small group of Lincoln's mercenaries met the last of the rebels in Sheffield. Thirty rebels died their in February of 1887. It was interesting timing for a rebellion, because at the same time the constitution was being drafted and the rebellion in Massachusetts was fresh in the minds of leaders trying to form the ruled of a union that would last the test of time.