On August 29, a well-organized force of protestors known as the Regulators, formed in Northampton, MA and successfully prevented the county court from sitting. This was known as Shays’ Rebellion, and it occurred 235 years ago.
Shays’ Rebellion, (August 1786–February 1787) was an uprising in western Massachusetts in opposition to high taxes and stringent economic conditions. Armed bands forced the closing of several courts to prevent execution of foreclosures and debt processes.
The rebellion also played a role in the discussion of the number of chief executives the United States would have going forward. While mindful of tyranny, delegates of the Constitutional Convention thought that the single executive would be more effective in responding to national disturbances. Historians are divided on the impact the rebellion had on the ratification debates.
