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Chapter IV - Shays' Rebellion
Shays' Rebellion 1786 - 1787
The true ineffectiveness of the Articles of Confederation became obvious when overburdened farmers in western Massachusetts revolted against the oppressive tax and debt policy. The demand of wealthy, conservative creditors in Boston for heavier poll and land taxes from farmers and other poor debtors incited this revolt, Shays' Rebellion. When the state legislature adjourned in 1786 without providing increased paper money or relief from taxes and debts, armed and wrathful farmers from three counties closed the courts, preventing foreclosures for nonpayment of taxes. Led by Captain Daniel Shays, an impoverished farmer and courageous war veteran, eight hundred of these defiant men advanced upon the federal arsenal at Springfield in January 1787. In order to quell the rebellion, Massachusetts officials secretly requested military aid from Congress, for they knew that they could not rely on the loyalty of many local militiamen who absolutely refused to fight against their neighbors. Though Congress agreed to send 1,340 men at a cost over of $500,000, by the time the national force was organized Shays' Rebellion was over due to bad weathers poor leadership and inadequate supplies. However, the determined rebels had gained a partial victory, for the state legislature and new governor decided to abolish direct taxes, reduce court fees, and exempt clothing, household goods and tools from the "debt process."
Ironically, in condemning the farmers' actions, Massachusetts officials and political thinkers denounced the very same kind of rebellion which they had considered a justifiable response to British tyranny. If a nation's citizens refused to submit to "legitimate authority," argued Alexander Hamilton, the result would be "chaos and collapse of the government." George Washington also warned, "There are combustibles in every state, which a spark might set fire to," while New York Governor Morns insultingly remarked, "The mob began to think and reason. Poor reptiles! They bask in the sun and by noon they will bite." In a letter to Thomas Jefferson, Abigail Adams described the rebels as "ignorant, restless desperadoes . . . mobbish insurgents [who] are sapping the foundation of our government." Responding from Paris, Jefferson wrote to a friend in the United States, "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is a natural manure." Hearing of Jefferson's position, a furious Abigail Adams refused to further correspond with him.
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