Shay's Rebellion
July 14, 2008
Shay's Rebellion is often portrayed* as a revolt by poor farmers against debt collectors. Richards methodically debunks the myths in a thoroughly researched book.
There are several misconceptions which reflect how the historical record was written early on by the winners of the conflict. Daniel Shays was a leader but not the only one. Since the other leaders had deeper roots in their communities, Shays was easy to target as an outsider and malcontent.
Also, while most of the men involved were in debt, that was true of all farmers. Many of the participants occupied the top tier of wealth in their towns and few had actually been sued for non-payment of debt.
The tipping point came from how the State would repay it's war debt. Bonds issued to Revolutionary soldiers devalued quickly. The soldiers sold them for shillings on the pound to speculators. In other states, the war debt was paid in current value. In Massachusetts the speculators (including then governor James Bowdoin) influenced legislation to have the bonds paid at face value plus interest.
This heavy debt would be paid on the backs of land owners through property and poll taxes. Those in Central and Western Massachusetts, having had their concerns ignored for years and having a state constitution they opposed forced on them in 1780, rose up to protest.
While the rebellion failed in the very short run, Bowdoin did not succeed in his re-election, getting crushed by the very popular John Hancock. Hancock succeeded in revising the war debt value and reducing or eliminating many of the taxes.
The rebellion also caused great concern in the young nation. Many, including the retired George Washington, felt if Massachusetts could experience these uprisings, it could happen anywhere. Washington came out of retirement to attend the convention in Philadelphia. The U.S. constitution created a much stronger central government which could help states put down future rebellions.
This was an excellent history book: well written and very interesting.
Title: Shay's Rebellion: The American Revolution's Final Battle
Author: Leonard L. Richards
Published: 2002
Shay's Rebellion is often portrayed* as a revolt by poor farmers against debt collectors. Richards methodically debunks the myths in a thoroughly researched book.
There are several misconceptions which reflect how the historical record was written early on by the winners of the conflict. Daniel Shays was a leader but not the only one. Since the other leaders had deeper roots in their communities, Shays was easy to target as an outsider and malcontent.
Also, while most of the men involved were in debt, that was true of all farmers. Many of the participants occupied the top tier of wealth in their towns and few had actually been sued for non-payment of debt.
The tipping point came from how the State would repay it's war debt. Bonds issued to Revolutionary soldiers devalued quickly. The soldiers sold them for shillings on the pound to speculators. In other states, the war debt was paid in current value. In Massachusetts the speculators (including then governor James Bowdoin) influenced legislation to have the bonds paid at face value plus interest.
This heavy debt would be paid on the backs of land owners through property and poll taxes. Those in Central and Western Massachusetts, having had their concerns ignored for years and having a state constitution they opposed forced on them in 1780, rose up to protest.
While the rebellion failed in the very short run, Bowdoin did not succeed in his re-election, getting crushed by the very popular John Hancock. Hancock succeeded in revising the war debt value and reducing or eliminating many of the taxes.
The rebellion also caused great concern in the young nation. Many, including the retired George Washington, felt if Massachusetts could experience these uprisings, it could happen anywhere. Washington came out of retirement to attend the convention in Philadelphia. The U.S. constitution created a much stronger central government which could help states put down future rebellions.
This was an excellent history book: well written and very interesting.
*The Wikipedia article is an exception and cites this particular book.
Comments
Excellent. That is one of the
Excellent. That is one of the lesser known issues in our country's history. Also the Whiskey Rebellion, Aaron Burr fleeing to the frontier (Ohio River) with his cousin after killing Hamilton, and a boatload of smaller uprisings that have largely been swept under the rug of history.
Revolutionary Dirty Laundry
Some info in the book I knew, for example the wealthy trying to monopolize every scrap of land they could.
I was surprised that post-revolution, Sam Adams was a rather elitist jerk. Last time I drink that dude's beer.
Well, yeah, many of those
Well, yeah, many of those involved that survived did have some attitude adjustments. But Sam Adams made his pre-revolutionary money as a rum runner.
Thanks for the
Thanks for the recommendation. I'm due for a piece of non-fiction. This one sounds good.
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