Shays' Rebellion: Western Massachusetts Unrest

In August 1786, armed groups of farmers began closing courts in western Massachusetts to prevent foreclosure proceedings against debtors. Many of the rebels were Continental Army veterans who had been paid in depreciated currency and now faced imprisonment for debts they could not pay.

The rebellion reflected deep anger at the Massachusetts government's fiscal policies, which favored eastern creditors over western farmers. Veterans who had fought for liberty found themselves being jailed by the government they had created. The irony was not lost on anyone.

Springfield became central to the crisis because of the armory. If the rebels could seize the weapons stored there, their movement would transform from protest to serious military threat.