Founding1787
Shays' Rebellion: Attack on Springfield Arsenal
Daniel Shays led approximately 1,500 rebels in an attack on the federal arsenal in Springfield, Massachusetts. The uprising by indebted farmers protesting aggressive tax collection and economic policies was repelled by state militia, but the rebellion alarmed national leaders.
Why It Matters
Shays' Rebellion exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and provided critical momentum for calling the Constitutional Convention, where delegates would create a stronger federal government.