Shays Rebellion
What 3 laws did Samuel Adams help pass?
1) Militia Act: Stated that if you were in the militia and you rebelled against the gov., you could be put to death 2) Suspended the Writ of Habeas Corpus: gov. could take anyone and imprison them 3) Riot Act of 1786: If more than 12 people gathered together for a bad cause, the gov. could jail them
List the primary events of the Shays Rebellion
1) Rebels protested by forcing the closure of courts and freeing imprisoned debtors from jail 2) Rebels carried out numerous attacks; drew attention from Samuel Adams who created 3 laws 3)George Washington writes letter to Boston gov. which they ignore; Boston gov. sends 300 soldiers to capture rebel leaders 4) Boston gov. creates army of 4,400 men that deafets the Shaysites 5) Shays Rebellion ends-leads to U.S. Consititution
When was the Shays Rebellion?
1786-1787
James Bowdoin
A governor of Massachusetts who organized a military force funded by merchants to confront the rebels
Middle of the Shays Rebellion
After their victory in shutting down the courts, the Shaysites carried out numerous attacks. They attracted nearly 9,000 rebels. Many wealthy businessman in Boston upon hearing of the rebellion became distraught. Samuel Adams then created 3 laws preventing rebellion.This pushed the farmers to the final stage of rebellion.
Who was the leader of the Shays Rebellion?
Daniel Shays: a former captain in the Continental Army
Pro-Debtor Laws
Forgiving laws where the gov. would print more money to forgive the debt of people. Mass. did not have this law.
End of Shays Rebellion
George Washington writes letter to Boston gov, but they ignore it. Boston gov. sends 300 troops to capture rebel leaders and then creates an army of 4,400 men that defeats the Shaysites. This leads to the creation of the U.S. Constitution.
Why was the Shays Rebellion started in Massachusetts?
Mass. did not solve the economic disparities among citizens. Farmers who could not pay their debts were thrown into jail or had their property taken away. Mass. did not have the Pro-Debtor laws, where the gov. would print more paper money to forgive the debt of people.
How did the Shays Rebellion impact America?
The Shays Rebellion never really threatened the stability of the U.S., it only alarmed politicians. This rebellion played a role in the approval of the U.S. Constitution.
Start of the Shays Rebellion
The farmers and settles of Mass. created an armed rebellion under Daniel Shays. They organize a meetings to protest and create a plan: they would close the courts by force and free imprisoned debtors from jail
How did the rebels close the courts by force?
The rebels met on Sep. 29, 1786 on a hill above Springfield, Massachusetts. Shay took out his sword and the men began to march with weapons. The Shaysites prepared to fight the state militia, and the Shaysites threatened all who opposed them. The men raced toward the courthouse, and then the judges suspended the court.
What was the cause of the Shays Rebellion?
Under the Articles of Confederation, there was widespread economic problems, especially in rural Massachusetts. Debt was rampant (many farmers starting new farms could not pay for it) and businesses were closing. Congress couldn't help b/c they had no power.
How did the Americans feel about the Shays Rebellion?
While some people supported the rebellion, others did not. The Americans were divided by their perspectives.