Daniel Shays Helps Lead a Rebellion

Some farmers initially tried to find a peaceful resolution to the economic crisis and asked the Massachusetts state government for a year’s grace from paying taxes, the closing down of courts so their property could not be confiscated, and more paper currency put into circulation to promote inflation and raise the price of their goods. Other farmers resorted to direct physical confrontation. In August 1786, 1,500 armed protestors blocked judges from entering the Northampton courthouse, where judges had been arresting and jailing farmers who had failed to pay their taxes. Daniel Shays, a farmer and a Revolutionary War veteran, was among the protestors.

Farmers continued to arm themselves and force court shutdowns throughout the state. In late September, Shays led a group of protestors to shut down the Massachusetts State Supreme Court in Springfield. Massachusetts governor Bowdoin called on the state militia to put down this rebellion, but the local militia members refused to fight against the protestors.