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Daniel Shays Rebellion

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Daniel Shays, a famous farmer, military captain and rebel leader, was born in 1747 in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. Shays was not much of an educated man and began his work as a farmer at a young age. When the Revolutionary War started he joined a local militia, passionate about his right to freedom. Shays fought in the famous Battle of Bunker Hill and Ticonderoga and eventually earned his rank to be a captain. Many of Shays fellow brothers in arms considered him a very brave soldier and an excellent leader. He eventually earned the title as the captain of the 5th Massachusetts Regiment of the Continental Army, but later resigned from the army in 1780. After resigning from the Army, he returned to a region in western Massachusetts that was suffering economically from the war. He moved back to live with his wife Abagail and his children. Shays returned to being a farmer but the farming industry was particularly hurt from the lack of trade and resources due to the Revolution. In 1782 Shays was elected to the county office to discuss the issues of farming. Shays was …show more content…
The farmers held conventions but the government refused to answer their requests. Violent protests broke out and Shays began to lead these rebellions against the government. In August 1786, Shays led a rebellion against the county courts to stop the tax and debt collecting against the farmers. The farmers created an armed forced, led by Shays, against the government and attempted to take over the Springfield Armory in Massachusetts. The attack was a failure and the rebels were defeated by a military militia. In February 1877, Shays regiment of the farmer rebels were caught in a surprise attack by the state militia. Many of the rebels were captured and the remainder of them fled the state. This surprise attack ended the rebellion that became known in history as “Shay’s

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