The Formation of the United States: Part III-Shays’ Rebellion

The Confederation Period lasted from 1783 to 1789. Following the end of the American Revolution in 1783, the newly independent states retained their sovereignty but were part of a confederation of states with a weak federal government. After it became clear that the confederation could not handle the challenges facing the states, a convention was held in Philadelphia which produced a constitution that created a new nation with a stronger federal government. Episode three explains that when the legislature of Massachusetts imposed heavy taxes that would only benefit a small group of already wealthy speculators, it sparked a brief revolt. While the uprising was nearly bloodless, the failure of the militia to defeat the revolt made members of legislatures in other states reconsider the value of sending delegates to attend the convention in Philadelphia to discuss a stronger national government.

 

Cast of Characters:

John Hancock-wealthy merchant, First and Third Governor of Massachusetts, formerly president of the Second Continental Congress

James Bowdoin-wealthy merchant, Second Governor of Massachusetts

Benjamin Lincoln-commander of the private army raised to put down the rebellion, formerly a major general in the Continental Army

Henry Knox-Secretary of War, formerly a senior general in the Continental Army

Daniel Shays-rebel leader, former officer in the Continental Army

Ethan Allen-businessman and politician in the Republic of Vermont, former commander of the Green Mountain Boys

Thomas Chittenden-governor of the Republic of Vermont

Alexander Hamilton-member of the New York State Legislature, former aide to General George Washington, commander of the Continental Army

 

Sources:

Franklin & Washington: The Founding Partnership=Edward J. Larson

Radical Hamilton: Economic Lessons from a Misunderstood Founder-Christian Parenti

Founding Finance: How Debt, Speculation, Foreclosures, Protests, and Crackdowns Made Us a Nation-William Hogeland

The Quartet: Orchestrating the Second American Revolution, 1783-1789-Joseph J. Ellis

The Framers' Coup: The Making of the United States Constitution-Michael J. Klarman

Washington: A Life-Ron Chernow

Ratification: The People Debate the Constitution, 1787-1788-Pauline Maier

Plain, Honest Men: The Making of the American Constitution-Richard Beeman

The Summer of 1787: The Men Who Invented the Constitution-David O. Stewart

Unruly Americans and the Origins of the Constitution-Woody Holton

American Creation-Joseph J. Ellis

The Return of George Washington: Uniting the States, 1783-1789-Edward J. Larson

Shay's Rebellion: The American Revolution's Final Battle-Leonard L. Richards

Alexander Hamilton: A Life-Willard Sterne Randall

George Washington: A Life-Willard Sterne Randall

Ethan Allen: His Life and Times-Willard Sterne Randall

The Glorious Cause: The American Revolution, 1763-1789-Robert Middlekauff

Image Credit:

Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States, by Howard Chandler Christy (1940) - The Indian Reporter, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=662340