8.2: Shays' Rebellion and the Need for Change

Under the Articles of Confederation, the new nation had serious money problems.  The paper money printed by Congress during the war was worthless, and although Congress had the power to make coins that would not lose their value, it lacked gold or silver to mint into coins.

The states reacted to the money shortage by printing their own paper currency, and before long, bills of different sizes and colors were distributed from state to state.  No one knew what any of these currencies was worth, but most agreed they were not worth much.

The money shortage was particularly hard on farmers who could not earn enough to pay their debts and taxes. 

In Massachusetts, judges ordered farmers to sell their land and livestock to pay off their debts. Led by Daniel Shays, a hero of the Battle of Bunker Hill, Massachusetts farmers rebelled.

In 1786, Shays and his followers closed down courthouses to keep judges from taking their farms.  Then they marched on the national arsenal at Springfield to seize the weapons stored there.  Having disbanded the Continental army, Congress was unable to stop them.

The Massachusetts government ended Shays' Rebellion in early 1787 by sending militia troops to Springfield to restore order.  To many Americans, however, the uprising was a disturbing sign that the nation they had fought so hard to create was falling apart.  “No respect is paid to the federal [national] authority,” James Madison wrote to a friend.  “It is not possible that a government can last long under these circumstances. ”

Shays' Rebellion shocked Congress into calling for a convention to consider “the situation of the United States.” Each state was invited to send delegates to Philadelphia in May 1787 “for the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation.”

Madison, who had devoted the past year to the study of both ancient and modern governments, was ready.  The lesson of the past was always the same.  A nation that was made up of many groups needed a strong central government, or it would soon be torn apart by quarrels.  The question was, would Americans heed this lesson?