Discuss the Events That Led to Shays's Rebellion,the Revolt Itself,and

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Confederation's Reliance on States for Revenue: The new U.S.government was in debt owing to the Revolutionary War and,without an impost amendment or revenue from public land sales,turned to the states to contribute revenue voluntarily.The amount requested in 1785 was four times larger than the previous year's requisition.This was a tax that,if collected,would hurt,as states were already struggling under heavy tax burdens.Massachusetts had a fiscally conservative legislature that passed tough tax laws calling for payment in hard money.
Farmers' Complaints: Western Massachusetts farmers found it difficult to comply with taxation and protested by marching on a courthouse and petitioning the government.When the legislature ignored their complaints,farmers then increased their demands,asking for revisions to the state constitution to promote democracy,eliminate the elite upper house,and move the capital farther west in the state.
Dissident Protest at County Courts: Still unheard,dissidents began to target the county courts.Several thousand armed men shut down courthouses in six Massachusetts counties.These insurgents were not all poor farmers and included many veteran soldiers and officers in the Continental army,one of whom was Daniel Shays.
Elite Response to Dissidents: The governor of Massachusetts characterized the western dissidents as illegal rebels.He vilified Shays,and a Boston newspaper claimed that Shays planned to burn Boston and overthrow the government.The governor raised a private army by paying bounties provided by wealthy and fearful Boston merchants.In response to learning of the army's plans to confront them,the dissidents tried to capture a federal armory in Springfield to obtain weapons.A loyal militia met them with gunfire,killing four and wounding twenty.Later,at Petersham,the governor's army surprised the rebels and took several hundred prisoners.
Outcome: Shays's Rebellion made leaders throughout the country worry about the confederation's ability to handle civil disorder.There was much concern about more revolution.Ultimately the country's leaders decided to try to amend the Articles of Confederation,which led to the writing of the U.S.Constitution.

Discuss the Events That Led to Shays's Rebellion,the Revolt Itself,and

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