1. There was a wave of farm closures in Massachusetts protested high taxation, the governors high salary, high court costsand the refusal to issue paper money Shay organized an army of 700 men- many were unpaid veterans Closed down commonwealths supreme court in Worcester Next they turned west to Springfield where they broke into the jail tofree imprisoned debtors. The rebels were routed in a battle in January 1787. Shay escaped to Vermont where he was later pardoned. 150 others were captured and several were sentenced to death. George Washington wanted compassionate treatment of therebels. Samuel Adams urged death sentences for the rebels. The next statewide election in Massachusetts altered the assemblyand led to the passing of measures which were designed toimprove the farmers conditions.

2. Debt from European creditorsA chain of debt left the farmers to pay the bulk of the taxMassachusetts legislature set harsh laws for debt collection 3. 1780- Daniel Shay resigned from the army unpaid. went home finding himself in court for the nonpayment of debts. He began organizing for debt relief. Autumn 1786- Shay organized groups of farmers to march upon thedebtors courts which cause court closures Winter 1787- the organized army marched to Springfield, where therebels were met by a militia and they were dispersed. January 1787- planned to seize weapons from the Springfield armory,however his collaborator Luke Day, replied to Shay saying he would notbe able to make the date, but Shay never received his message. Without reinforcement, 4 of Shays men were killed and 20 werewounded. 1787- by now most of the fleeing rebels had been captured. 1788- many of the rebels were either jailed or sentenced to death,however a general amnesty was granted Shay too was pardoned where he then moved to Massachusetts 4. Delegate James Madison represented anopposition to the views of Samuel Adams There is reason to apprehend thatevery thing is not yet right in Massts.and that the discontents are rathersilenced than subdued. The measurestaken by the Legislature of that stateprove that such is their view of thematter.- James Madison Madison thought that the decision topunish the civilians of Shays rebellionwould do more harm than good and hemade this clear to Washington. He thought that Shays rebellion would actas a disease and spread throughout thecountry affecting other colonies besidesjust Massachusetts He thought that it was necessary for thefederal government to maintain the civilliberties of the people. Liberty may be endangered by theabuses of liberty as well as the abusesof power. 5. 55 Delegates from 12 states meet todiscuss possible reform of articles ofconfederation in light of recent acts. Set out to create stronger, morecentralized government that can tend tothe problems of the people. 6. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shays%27_Rebellion http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/history/A0844765.html http://www.ushistory.org/us/15a.asp http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h363.html http://shaysrebellion.stcc.edu/shaysapp/person.do?shortName=james_madison