Shays’ Rebellion Essay Shays’ Rebellion was when a group of farmers protested against the government shortly after America gained its independence. Although these farmers rebelled against the government, nevertheless they stood up, aimed to help country, and their actions had lasting effects affecting the government. These protesters stood up against the government. It is important to realize that “ the people who have stepped up to demand rights for themselves and others are most likely to be put in jail.” These jails they were put in were often far away from their homes. According to Document A, an excerpt from a speech by Daniel Gray, the third reason for the protesters actions sums up that they were punished for demanding rights
Last night on February 4, 1787, General Benjamin Lincoln attacked members of the Shays’ Rebellion, and successfully captured 150 of the rebels. As a result, Daniel Shays left Massachusetts and fled to Vermont. Shays Rebellion was an armed rebellion consisting of 1,200 angry farmers from Massachusetts. They caused major chaos in this state. On December 26, 1786 Daniel Shays and the rebels revolted in Springfield, Massachusetts insisting that the state legislature address their issues, such as lack of money.
They all had an immense amount of debt due to the government not paying the veterans, and the taxes being increased for farming. This led to Daniel Shays becoming one of the numerous leaders of the rebellions. At first they tried to change the laws peacefully by having a petition for them stating that the veterans and farmers were being treated unfairly because these new laws, guidelines, and new legislature rules (legislature was controlled by merchant interest). Therefore since the legislature was controlled by eastern merchant interest the petitions were declined which caused even more issues for the veterans and farmers. Protests began to increase tremendously, in August 1786 the legislature was going to have a court meeting considering the many petitions against the rebellions, but Shays had formed a protest that marched to the courthouse and prevented them from having the court sitting.
Farmers in the Shay’s Rebellion were treated unfairly . Although the farmers in Shay’s Rebellion were considered reckless rebels, nevertheless they should be recognized as freedom fighters because they fought for things to be fair, they protested for people’s rights to be better, and they fought for what they thought was right. First of all, the farmers fought for things to be fair because many things were not fair to them and to others . According to class notes, “Farmers were losing land and going to jail,” this shows that they were treated unfairly and they were getting punished for doing nothing.
After the Articles of Confederation was passed, the national government was weak and began to introduce new taxes to the Nation. Massachusetts began to impose unfair taxes on farmers, because farmers were not cooperative to these new taxes the court seized their property and some farmers were even sent to jail. Then 1,000 armed men Shay and his army marched where all the states money and power was, Boston. After the rebellion some rebels were caught, tried, and hung. Others such as Shay were
Shays Rebellion “The people who have stepped up to demand rights for themselves and others are likely to be put in jails from home.” Why would they be put in jail? What did Shays rebellion do to be put in such a harsh condition? You might be asking these questions, but surprisingly enough, there is plenty of evidence to prove why Shays Rebellion should have been put in jail for their actions. Although many believe that Shays and his followers were freedom-fighters, they were actually rebels because they could have handled the situation better,they were not logical about the situation and they caused many riots.
Shays’ Rebellion During Shays’ Rebellion, what were the farmers considered? Farmers were being taxed 1000% more after the Revolutionary War and since they weren’t able to pay they went to jail. 1,500 men decided to break into the government’s arsenal and steal weapons. All of that triggered the local militia which led them to killing four farmers. Although people think of the farmers as rebels, nevertheless the farmers were freedom fighters because they fought against unlawful punishment, stepped up to demand rights, and fought for money that they weren’t given.
The Whiskey Rebellion and the American Revolution were pivotal events in American history, both characterized by acts of resistance against perceived injustices. Even though they share certain major similarities in terms of participant grievances and resistance against governmental authority, a closer analysis reveals notable differences in their underlying motivations, goals, and the nature of their resistance. This essay aims to analyze Chapters 3 and 4 of "A Well Regulated Militia" in order to compare the stance of the Whiskey Rebellion participants with that of the American colonists during the Revolution. Both the participants of the Whiskey Rebellion and the American colonists during the Revolution harbored grievances against the government. The Whiskey Rebellion, as described in Chapter 3,
“The accumulation of all powers..in the same hands, whether of one or many (is) the very definition of tyranny.” (James Madison, Federalist Paper #47, 1788) ( Background Essay) This quote explains the reasoning for one of the framers, (B) Separation of Powers. The framers of the constitution were created to prevent tyranny and create a stronger government that would hold the nation together. Tyranny ultimately means harsh, absolute power in the hands of one individual-- like a king or dictator. The constitution guarded against tyranny in 4 ways: (A)Federalism, (B)Separation of Powers, (C)Checks & Balances, and (D)Small State-Large State.
Even though shays men were defeated by James Bowdin, it still affected the lives of people after the war. The Article states” Shays’ rebellion demonstrated the high degree of internal conflict lurking beneath the surface of post-Revolutionary life. National leaders felt compelled to act to put an end to such popular actions that took place beyond the bounds of the law. ”(Daniel Shays - Patriot or Traitor). Sheys’ rebellion has convinced others to fight for what's right and never give up hope.
The rebels thought their individual rights were threatened to a high enough degree that they had the right to overthrow their government. In Document I, James Madison is quoted as saying “...you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.” in context to regulating a government. The Federalist is a written defence for and part of a constitutional movement that calls for a stronger federal government that also limits itself and protects individual rights. Shay’s Rebellion was a retaliation to a government outreach.
In the events following the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri sparked huge controversy within the country. By allowing people to demonstrate peacefully helped people to convey their feelings upon the situation at large, freedom of speech to influence policy makers to take note and make changes. If these demonstrations are not handled appropriately by police can turn into violence which is a gateway into looting. After individuals choice to commit civil disobedience which is stated by Pollack (2017) as “the voluntary disobedience of established laws based on one’s moral beliefs” (p. 79). An individual is standing up for what they believe is morally right in society.
Shay’s Rebellions follow the Revolutionary war and how the US fell into a economic crisis, There were a lot of tension due to farmers losing their property to to debt collectors. In January 1787, him and his force were sent to a federal armory at Springfield but it failed due the artillery fire and how it lead to 4 people being killed and 20 people being wounded. Rebellion doesn’t always end up peaceful and it can also show no improvement at.
Why did the protesting happen? There are multiple reasons why this miserable protesting ought to have happened. Several people state that the police continue not being fair, other people say it’s fair to them. Lots of people took the risk of protesting with the other people, and lots of people were shot while protesting.
Both these rebellions took place because the government was over taxing the poor people. The farmers had no other choice but to start a rebellion or end up in prison. Most of the farmers didn't just choose not to pay the taxes they couldn't afford to. They weren't trying to stick it to the government they didn't have a choice it was either fight or loose their family. In Shays rebellion the poor farmers charge the courthouse trying to take a stance against the high taxes.
Around the time of these protests Americans were beginning to realize their rights as citizens and what their ideal government looked like. Settlers of the backcountry were rebelling against the federalists, attempting to acquire more representation in the government. The people of the backcountry were becoming more oppressed as Alexander Hamilton began to attempt to improve America’s economy with manufacturing and revenue taxes. The backcountry settlers organized violent protests, three of these rebellions being Shays’ Rebellion, Whiskey Rebellion, and March of the Paxton Boys.