Shays Rebellion

Shays Rebellion was an uprising in central Western Massachusetts but all the fighting and bloodshed was in southern Western Massachusetts, specifically the city of Springfield. The revolt was led by Daniel Shays who was an obscure man for most of his life other than his military service and this particular rebellion.

At the beginning of the American Revolutionary War, Shays was a captain in the 5th Massachusetts Regiment and saw action in the battles of Bunker Hill, Ticonderoga, Saratoga and Stony Point.

In 1780 he resigned from the army (I guess you had a choice about service, unlike today). He moved to Pelham, Mass. which is located in Hampshire County. He served in various offices within the local government. After his resignation from the army, the war dragged on for another 7 years and by this time the economic conditions had changed drastically. America had won the war but there was a massive war debt.

The main reason behind Shays Rebellion is taxes and debt. At this point in American history, all the power was in the hands of the states. There was no federal government as we know it today. Each state regulated their own taxes and even had their own money. If a citizen of Massachusetts got in to too much debt or didn't pay taxes, this citizens was sent to a prison that was for debtors specifically. The state could also take back your property.

Shays and fellow rebels didn't agree with these policies and took justice into their own hands. There were two major incidents in Shays Rebellion and both happened in Springfield. The first was on September 26, 1786. Close to 1,500 men went to battle that day for both sides. 4 men were killed and many others were injured in this battle. The rest of the fall and winter of 1786 saw minor scuffles and battles. The second battle that took place in Springfield was on February 3, 1787. On this date, Shays and his Shaysites set their eyes on the Springfield Armory, which was federal property. When Shays and his army arrived, they weren't alone. A militia from Boston and a militia from Springfield led by General William Shepard, was also there to greet Shays. The story goes that Shepard commanded for one warning shot to be fired. This one shot killed 2 or 3 people and the rest fled north. The next day some of the rebels who fled were caught in Petersham, Mass and this was the end of Shays Rebellion.

Shays Rebellion is one of the more amazing feats, I'd say, in Western Massachusetts history. This was in 1786. If we can think of that time - no Interstate highways, no motor vehicles - the 20 mile round trip journey Shays and army had to make twice was nothing to laugh at. They either marched here, rode horseback or came by the Connecticut River; and that was just to get to Springfield. Lets say they came by the Connecticut River, they would still have to march up the steep incline from the riverfront to the Armory.

Shays Rebellion was also important politically. It was a catalyst for the revision of the Articles of Confederation, which was deemed very weak. The first Constitutional Convention was also conceived and planned from the uprising in Western Massachusetts. The history of America is right under our nose.....