Shays’ RebellionShays’ Rebellion

The Great Depression The Great Depression

After the war, each state began After the war, each state began issuing its own paper moneyissuing its own paper money

The more money in circulation the The more money in circulation the less a dollar boughtless a dollar bought

Finances collapsedFinances collapsed– Paper money was refused as worthlessPaper money was refused as worthless– Gold and silver were hoarded by peopleGold and silver were hoarded by people

1784-1789: worst depression the 1784-1789: worst depression the colonies had seencolonies had seen

Debtors in TroubleDebtors in Trouble Farmers tried to use their crops to Farmers tried to use their crops to

pay their debts, but it wasn’t enoughpay their debts, but it wasn’t enough

If they failed to pay their bills they If they failed to pay their bills they were thrown into jail until the bills were thrown into jail until the bills were paidwere paid

Farmers all over the colonies riotedFarmers all over the colonies rioted

In Massachusetts Daniel Shays led In Massachusetts Daniel Shays led the rebellionthe rebellion

Daniel ShaysDaniel Shays

Former Continental army captainFormer Continental army captain

Demanded more paper money, tax relief, Demanded more paper money, tax relief, relief for debtors and an end to relief for debtors and an end to imprisonment for debtimprisonment for debt

During 1786 the “Shaysites” traveled During 1786 the “Shaysites” traveled around preventing the collection of debts around preventing the collection of debts

RebellionRebellion January 1787: Shays and his mob of farmers went to January 1787: Shays and his mob of farmers went to

Springfield armory to get more guns and ammunitionSpringfield armory to get more guns and ammunition

The State militia met them thereThe State militia met them there

Shays and his men were driven off and captured in Shays and his men were driven off and captured in February 1787February 1787

Effect was that people demand a change in national Effect was that people demand a change in national government government

Shays’s Rebellion reinforced the fears of national Shays’s Rebellion reinforced the fears of national leaders about the dangers of ineffective state leaders about the dangers of ineffective state governments and of popular democracy out of governments and of popular democracy out of control.control.

There could be no stronger evidence of the want of energy in our governments than these disorders.

- George Washington

In what way did Shays’ Rebellion of In what way did Shays’ Rebellion of 1786 lead to the formation of the 1786 lead to the formation of the

United States Constitution?United States Constitution?A.A. It demonstrated a need for a process It demonstrated a need for a process

for accepting territories into the union.for accepting territories into the union.

B.B.Disputes between states could not be Disputes between states could not be resolved without a national judiciary.resolved without a national judiciary.

C.C. It showed that farmers needed the right It showed that farmers needed the right to vote in national elections.to vote in national elections.

D.D.The lack of a national army showed the The lack of a national army showed the need for a stronger national need for a stronger national government.government.