Shays Rebellion

(1786–87), an uprising of poor farmers in the USA led by D. Shays; it took place under the conditions of the aggravation of the class struggle that existed after the close of the American Revolution.

The rebellion was joined by craftsmen and former soldiers. The rebels demanded equal distribution of land and wealth, the abolishment of all debts, and fair legal proceedings. They attacked courtrooms, destroyed files of debt prosecutions, and freed debtors. In December 1786, about 1,100 rebels unsuccessfully tried to seize the arsenal in Springfield, Mass. In February 1787 the rebels were defeated by government troops. Thirteen leaders of the uprising were sentenced to death, but they were subsequently pardoned. The rebellion was the culmination of the democratic movement in the USA in the last quarter of the 18th century.