Shays' Rebellion (aug 29, 1786 – jun 1, 1787)

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An uprising composed of indebted farmers organized by Daniel Shays. In protest of the government's economic instability, they closed down some courts in Massachusetts and attacked a debtor's prison. The central government was unable to act to put the rebellion down, and had to hire a private militia to do the job for them. The rebellion was eventually crushed, but it demonstrated the weaknesses of the Confederate government and spurred the Constitutional Convention.

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