The notion that the government rules all have been repeatedly overturned throughout history. Every time a government oppresses its citizens, someone who feels the discontent of the people will arise. Whether they are seen as heroes or rebels is ultimately the public’s opinion. While heroes and rebels both have a similar purpose, the people’s opinions on their actions make all the difference. One who goes with the people's beliefs to solve their discomfort ends up as the hero of the people. On the other hand, a rebel often strays from public belief and uproots the tyranny of the oppressive force that the public is still blindly following. Daniel Shays is a key example of this controversy between deciding if one is a hero or a rebel. Shays saw …show more content…
For instance, after news got to Thomas Jefferson about Shay’s Rebellion, he responded by saying, “A little rebellion now and then is a good thing.” (Jefferson after hearing about Shay's Rebellion). Jefferson implies that rebellion can help the government change in a good way. From instances such as this, people can reflect on their mistakes and improve upon them as shown time and time again throughout history. The way Shays impacted the way the government viewed the ones they disregarded, proves him to truly be a hero and not a rebel. Some argue that since he used violent means to get his ideals to reach the government he should be regarded as a rebel. However, instances such as these have recurred many times in history and sometimes violence is the only way for your ideology to make an impact on the view of the people. Time and time again violence has occurred in history and its aftermath led to peace. An example of an occurrence similar to this would be the American Revolution against Britain. While violence was used, America gained its independence and they were seen as heroes who fought against tyranny. Under situations like these, it is justifiable to break the law for the sake of the greater good of the people. Without going against corrupt systems, nothing will ever change. Therefore, Daniel Shays was not a rebel and should instead be seen as a hero for changing the corrupt system of the
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.
In his time, Louis Riel was the leader of two rebellions, petitioning for equality and change for the Métis people, but there is still debate on whether Louis Riel was a hero or a traitor, because of his actions during the uprisings. Louis Riel, because of the circumstances, was a hero.
Rebels or freedom fighters? Shay’s army had actions that were unacceptable such as refusing to pay taxes, stealing guns from the government, and breaking one another out of jail. Although Shay’s army were seen as freedom fighters, Nevertheless they were reckless rebels because they broke laws, disobeyed morals, and put their nation at risk. To begin with, The farmers broke laws. “Ignorant, restless criminals” is what these farmers were called for Document B written by Abigail Adams.
Hieu, I completely agree with your views on the two main struggles the Founding Fathers encountered while developing the foundation for this great nation. Your views on both taxation and the Shays ' Rebellion are very similar to mine. It 's crazy that a society in that time frame didn 't adopt the Europeans way of taxation, which evolved around the king and his government. Another good point you have is how it was up to the individual states to fend for themselves for protection. Where the thirteen colonies just finished working together to defeat Great Britain in the Revolutionary War.
His actions also enacted even harsher laws against slaves in the south. His bloody rebellion also helped inspire the abolitionist movement in the north. Turner could be considered both as a hero and villain. Nat Turner was used as an example of African Americans standing up against white oppression. His actions help prove that African Americans are not to be enslaved and reckoned
He rebelled because of him and many others, they felt it was the right thing to do. It was in not their intentions to displease or offend the government, they just wanted the rights that they were worthy of. So, to answer the question of was he a hero or a villain, he was both. Whatever anyone thinks of him,
Fernbach, Reece History Per.5 Thomas Jefferson I believe that using the information from the Declaration of Independence and the latter about shays rebellion, Thomas Jefferson would agree with today’s rebellions that happen in our society. Thomas Jefferson says in his letter to his friend on shays rebellion that “God forbid we should ever be 20 years without such a rebellion”. He is saying that why should a rebellion be taken as this horrible thing, it should be used to tell the leaders of their country that something is wrong and we need to see what they are rebelling about to fix it. If a rebellion isn’t a bad thing back then, then why should it be a bad thing now we are only doing what Tomas Jefferson wants in order to improve the
For example, James Shaw made sure the public knew that public knew that his intentions were not as "heroic" as they thought.
Daniel Shays was the leader of the Shays’ Rebellion. The revolution was group of protestors who tried to stop judgments against farmers and free the impounded farmers who were arrest due to their debts not paid. The rebellion was not successful, but changes were made to the Articles of Confederation. Shays was common farm laborer before he went to the Armed Services. He was a former Continental Army officer who later became a captain.
The rebellion had a lot of violence involved it was not a peaceful protest. Most people viewed it as a way to get there freedoms. The rebellion was proof the American government had great authority over its people but it would be met with resistance. It also added a glimpse of what would happen if many new taxes were raised like
In this case, Shay rebels against the government for what he believes is right, which is that the farmers shouldn’t be taxed because they have helped the country in war. He is viewed as a hero because of the way he is fighting against the government for the justice of his people. Other people look at him as a hero and start their own rebellion for what's right. For instance, “The debtors’ discontent was widespread and similar actions occurred on an smaller scale, Maine, Connecticut, New York, and Pennsylvania among others places.” (Daniel Shays - Patriot or Traitor).
This is because Shays rebellion took place because the poor farmers were fighting against the outrageous taxes which were leaving them without land and in prison with no means of supplying food for their families. In many states at the time if someone didn't have land they weren't able to vote because in the governments eyes they had no power. These taxes were taking away the farmers land which then also took away their right to vote which left them powerless and made their options pointless. Poor farmers ended up in jail which left their families out on the streets begging for money and a means to survive. Just like the whiskey rebellion farmers were left without a way to supply for their family because the demand of whiskey was way down after the government increase the tax by 25%.
Rebels and Rebellions Essay There are still many problems with our society that we are dealing with or are yet to discover. Sometimes we are able to civilly address with these issues through peaceful protests or electing new government officials. However, at certain moments in history we have seen A rebellion, as defined by the Oxford English Dictionary, is “An organized armed resistance to an established ruler or government; an uprising, a revolt”. Rebels and rebellions are essential to society as without them, change, both good and bad, would occur at a sluggardly and dysfunctional pace. Change is essential for human growth.
Following the account of how man should seek “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness” (The Declaration of Independence) the writer lets the people know that everyone has the right to overthrow a government if the human rights are unfair and unjust. And
An outsider may see this resistance as good, as they people stand up for themselves and their beliefs. Instead of being silenced these strong citizens aim to go against the new governing system. Nevertheless, one cannot forget nor diminish the risk these people take: “My father had gone to take some photos of the demonstration (…). It was strictly forbidden. He had even been arrested once but escaped at last minute.”