A Brief History
On this date, September 29, 1825, American soldier, revolutionary, and farmer Daniel Shays (c.1747–1825) died at age 78 in Sparta, New York. In those storied 78 years, Shays became most famous for being one of the leaders of Shays’ Rebellion, a populist uprising against controversial debt collection and tax policies in Massachusetts in 1786 and 1787. The seeds of that rebellion were planted nearly a decade earlier amidst a revolution…
Digging Deeper
In a bitter struggle against the most powerful industrializing nation on earth, the thirteen colonies that would later be called the United States of America (U.S.) won their independence from Great Britain. Victorious, the citizens of the new nation of America thought that their freedom from British rule would bring them together as a young and prosperous nation. In some aspects they were right, but in others they were wrong.
By defeating, Britain, the Americans had proved themselves not only hard-workers, but also a new nation, held together by high ideals. The Americans had a whole continent to explore and a new government to form. The problems then that faced the Americans might not have been totally expected, but also could not have been a total shock. It is not exactly easy trying to form a new country.
One such problem was the economy. High taxes were imposed to pay for war debts, and in Massachusetts, the problem reached a dangerous level. Although there was paper money in circulation, little of it was honored at face value. When farmers were thrown into debt they wanted more paper money to help pay off some of their debts. When the Massachusetts state legislature failed to issue paper money and reform the debtor laws, the farmers took action.
Daniel Shays, born in 1747 probably at Hopkinton, Massachusetts, and died September 29, 1825 at Sparta, New York, was a U.S. soldier who served as an Army Officer at the battles of Bunker Hill (1775), Saratoga (1777), and Stony Point (1779) in the American Revolution. He later lead the uprising of several hundred male farmers to force the Supreme Court in Springfield to adjourn in September of 1786. In January of 1787, Shays’s force of 1,200 men tried to attack a federal arsenal at Springfield. There his revolt began to fall apart as the militia fired upon his party, before they could reach the arsenal. As the militia pursued him, he was decisively defeated on February 4 at Petersham. He then fled to Vermont.
At first the leaders of the rebellion were condemned to die for their treason, but they were eventually pardoned. Later, Shays even received a war pension!
Shays’ Rebellion was not the only rebellion of its kind to take place in the newly independent U.S. Several disturbances occurred in other states with the unsuccessful Whiskey Rebellion of 1791-1794, primarily in Western Pennsylvania, being the most famous. Collectively and despite the rebels being technically defeated, these revolts resulted in two significant changes. In Massachusetts, the state legislature created laws that would ease the economic condition of debtors. On a larger scale, the Federal government became aware that it had to be strong enough to keep tranquility within its borders. Although, Daniel Shays’ Rebellion to capture the arsenal had failed, he and his debt-ridden farmers had succeeded in helping to make the country strong and fairer and that is why we remember him on this 190th anniversary of his death on September 29, 1825.
Question for students (and subscribers): Was Shays justified in starting his rebellion? Please let us know in the comments section below this article.
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Historical Evidence
For more information, please see:
Richards, Leonard L. Shays’s Rebellion: The American Revolution’s Final Battle. University of Pennsylvania Press, 2003.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="11677 https://www.historyandheadlines.com/?p=11677">43 Comments
As explained in the article about Shays multiple attempts of conquering different ares, he failed a few times. Fled away to different areas of the 13 colonies until later on when his rebellion then “succeeded.” It was good for him to make this world a better place. It astonished me that he kept going after failing multiple times.
I’m surprised the United States hasn’t had a rebellion over debt. There are so many people in debt and I’m sure they are upset but nobody has caused war over it.
This is the first time learning about this in history ever so it is interesting learning how his rebellion went. I am surprised after failing multiple times that he kept trying until he succeeded.
AM
I too am also surprised that there has not been a rebellion over debt. I know so families who are in debt and I know how they feel. There are also many more families out there who probably feel the same way. I assume they want to do something about it. But they are not exactly sure how to take action.
It’s kind of neat that even though he didn’t succeed with his original task, he still got what he wanted in the end anyway, at least to some extent. I also find it interesting how he leads a massive rebellion of over 1,200 men and has no punishment afterward.
Interesting that Shay went from war hero to revolutionary. GW
Daniel Shays was a brave man and I’m glad he followed in the footsteps of the founders in fighting for what he believed was right. Even though he for the most part failed, it’s the idea that counts 😉
Shay seems like a brave man, very interesting.
I always admire famous figures in history that failed a few times before achieving their goals. Shay was brave and an interesting character. I had never heard much of him before.
Shays certainly kept to the phrase “if at first you don’t succeed, try and try again.”
The fact that he kept trying after several failed attempts show the dedication that all Americans should have. And even though his attempt to reach the arsenal didn’t work good still came out of his rebellion.
I find it interesting that even though he was the head of a rebellion, he was still pardoned and even received war pension
Being raised from a farm family, and raised on a farm family, it makes me proud reading this. It seems as if then, farmers were still underestimated, which is a shame because without agriculture and farmers, the economy would really go downhill. People do not realized that most things that they use everyday, eat, and drink are made thanks to a farmer. So, if you have forgotten to do so recently… Thank a Farmer!
It’s amazing how big of a role the farmers played in Shays’ Rebellion.
It is cool that Shays helped lead the farmers and did not give up on them. Their dedication is inspiring!
Daniel Shays showed that Americans still had something to fight for even after winning the Revolution. Setting a good example for Americans everywhere.
I like that Shay didn’t give up. He is a good example of a true American. Someone who is willing to work for what they think is fair.
A rebellion that made such a impact that started with such small beginnings and with their leader being pardoned in the end still is something you don’t hear about as often
I think it is interesting that Shay never gave up and continued to fight for other people after the Revolution.
Shay’s Rebellion seemed like it had a just cause but perhaps the approach they chose to rebel and attack was not the best. Also, did not know of so many other rebellions occurring during this time.
I admire Shay’s bravery.
i like how shay kept fighting for other people. he was a brave man
It’s interesting that although Shay’s rebellion failed that it
was able to make the country stronger and fairer than before.
I’m assuming all of the rebellions at this time were for the better. Very brave and inspirational man of America for fighting for other people.
It seems like rebellions, like Shay’s, were needed for America to realize what needed to be fixed. Learning to run an entire country is tough, and I do not believe any country has mastered it. However, these rebellions helped pave way for positive societal changes for our country.
I have no doubt that forming a country from the beginning is a long and hard process. Not all men had the courage that Shays had. I think he was a strong individual that all he wanted was to start forming a fair, powerful country. I think he was breve enough to show the country what was going wrong and what needed to be fixed. People like him were what made America what it is today.
Shay helped the United States conform the ratification of the Constitution with his rebellion. The farmer could be used in todays society to help reduce the trillions dollar debt mark that the USA currently has. Shay has a view of Republicans that everyone should be taxed fairly and equally. In the 2016 election I would guess that Shay would be a Donald Trump fan.
I can imagine that the taxes to help the country recover from war were overbearing. Shays, being a war leader from the Revolutionary War, was probably able to gain support quickly as he gathered his 1,200 farmers to attack the federal arsenal. I was glad to read that Daniel Shays was granted pardon from the original death sentence.
Rebellions can be scary and awful but for the right reason they are worth it. The hard work was just beginning for the colonies after they defeated Great Britain and won their independence. I can’t imagine how enormous a task it would be to create a new government and try to see that people are treated fairly. Rebellions such as shays helped by forcing law makers to be more fair.
This was a hard time for America being a new country. Britain had always controlled them and now they had to fend for themselves. It was probably easy for Shay to get supporters since he was part of the Revolution as well.
Shays was important in establishing some fair laws against debtors in the new country. His rebellion was successful because it helped issue change in both the state and national governments. He was a true American patriot, both fighting in the Revolutionary War and helping to shape this new nation.
I find it amazing that he could amass 1,200 men to fight along side him. This rebellion was clearly an important landmark in our history and even though the actual attack was far from successful it was good to see that he made his point known and changes were made due to that.
A farmers rebellion is truly one dangerous rebellion. The farmer better get what he wants or else the community isn’t eating! Scary.
Although this rebellion like many others was unsuccessful it was an eye opener for many American officials. Shays was able to accumulate 1200 people to get behind him in his rebellious cause. The rebellions that went on during this time were clearly important for helping to create our new country.
It is not surprising that there were many rebellions after the liberation of America. The reason we were fighting is because of how individualistic of a people we were and still are. So, there were bound to be people who butt heads on ideas and were stubborn about it after the war was over.
To fight for the independence of your growing nation, and then to have that nation condemn you would be a tough blow. It is no wonder the formation of the United States is considered rocky at best.
Sometimes we forget that there were “small” scale rebellions because they get lost in the grand rebellion called the “revolution” but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t important.
Why were hey pardoned? I feel like Shay’s rebellion helped to set the tone for future rebellions just as a few followed his
Shay’s rebellion was not the only the only rebellion to take place in the United States. Several disturbances occurred during this time with the unsuccessful Whiskey Rebellion being the most famous.
Many United States citizens hoped that the American Revolution would bring the states closer together and that their lives in a young and prosperous nation would begin. Unfortunately, the aftermath of the war would take a toll on the states and their people, and Massachusetts farmer Daniel Shays knew that something needed to be done to change this. With problems such as inflation and farmers being unable to pay off their debt, Shays lead a rebellion against the courts to shut them down and prevent debtors from being placed in prison.
Revolts in the late 1700’s such as Shay’s Rebellion and the Whiskey Rebellion may not have been technically successful in terms of conventional victory, but they led to important changes and adaptation in local and national government.
Sort of a sad article to read since Shays was such an important part keeping the United States together and successful so early on as a young country. Shays’ forcing the hand of the government to change may not have felt very good at the time for this country, but it was needed so we wouldn’t fail.
Reading this article, I begin focusing on the difference between a rebellion, and how fondly we remember them, at the founding of our country, and any sort of protest in our current day. The contrast is quite stark. With the advent and proliferation of technology and media, any and all protests that could result in a potential rebellion are, seemingly, condemned and shut down by the opposing side via media. It would seem as though a country founded and strengthened by rebels no longer cares for rebels.