America had just got out of the revolutionary war against the British, and about 3 years,
in 1786 protests and riots break out. The rebellion, known as Shay’s Rebellion started in
Massachusetts, soon spreading to other states. The rebellion was caused by the government
unfairly taxing mostly farmers, most of the farmers at that time were unable to vote which meant
they were not able to influence and/or change the government. The rebellion, lead by Daniel
Shay, had about 1,500 men whom of mostly were farmers. The farmers had felt as if they
shouldn’t just be taxed that everyone should be taxed fairly and equally. However, the
government was in such a deep debt to other countries and their own civilians they felt that it did
not matter where the money…show more content… Since the country was
brand new, they had no real army to stop the rebels, which lead to businesses having to hire their
own private militias. Most rebels were arrested and sent to court, very few were seriously injured
or killed.
Having private militias became very expensive, so in the end of 1786 the Congress
requested that each and every state pay to start the national army, only Virginia had paid. Since
the money was not enough to pay for a national army, the need for the private militia’s went on,
even though the Congress had voted on a national army. At this point in the rebellion during
1787, it was divided amongst three leaders, Daniel Shays, Luke Day, and Eli Parsons which had
an almost equal amount of men, but they didn’t communicate well. The rebellion was mostly
located in Springfield. A reward for each man of 150 pounds was posted and signed by Ben
Franklin.
During the end of winter during 1788 the rebellion was destroyed by Brigadier John
Ashley and General Lincoln. Almost all of the rebels were forced to sign confessions,
but the biggest leaders were arrested and sentenced to death. But most of the