Shays' Rebellion (1786-87) and the Constitution
New in 2007! Links to unique historical documents can now be found at the Springfield Armory web site.
Note: Bookmark this page -- you will be leaving this site.
The Springfield Armory, including a Museum, is a National Historic Site. The Armory's predecessor was the Springfield Arsenal building, the site of the climax of Shays' Bebellion.
Start by reading a research paper in which the Springfield Armory's historian, Richard Colton, retraces Shays' march on the Arsenal (January 25, 1787) based on the first-hand accounts of participants. Click here to download the essay, titled "Unwilling to Stain the Land": Conflict and Ambivalence in Shays' Rebellion.
- Using primary source material, the author shows that Shays never ordered his column to form a battle line until it was too late, and discusses "why Shays and his force did not mount a sustained attack."
Then click here to access an online collection of 100 documents from Shays' Rebellion.
Don't forget to bookmark this page before you leave our site!
More about the Video
CURRICULUM BUILDERShays' Rebellion and the Constitution -- Teacher's Guide
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Updated jAN 1 2008
