What Were The Causes Of Shay's Rebellion
Shay’s rebellion was a crisis that occurred in 1786 and 1787. The rebellion occurred because of the condition of the farmers in rural Massachusetts. Many farmers suffered high debts’ when they tried to settle new farms. In response the Massachusetts did nothing to help the farmer’s debt problems at all. No efforts were made to help forgive the debts, causing farms to be seized and farmers thrown into jail. Farmers then organized an armed resistance against the Massachusetts government. The rebels would forcefully close courts and free imprisoned members out of jail. The group would be led by Daniel Shays, former captain of the Continental Army. They would keep rebelling until the governor of Massachusetts, James Bowdoin organized an armed military force to crush the rebellion.
Long term the rebellion showed the problems facing post-revolutionary America and show the weakness of the Articles of Confederation. The rebellion pushed George Washington back into politics and America emerged with a new President and a new Constitution.