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Books/Encyclopedias

 

 

As the title suggests this book addresses the constitutional impact of Shays's Rebellion as well as the role influential government members played during the rebellion.  Specifically, it addresses how the rebellion impacted George Washington and how it shaped the Philadelphia Convention.  This book provides background information as well as an in-depth analysis into specific relationships during the rebellion.

Brynner, Rock. Fire Beneath Our Feet: Shays' Rebellion and Its Constitutional Impact. New York                         City: Columbia UP, 1993. Print.

 

 

This encyclopedia is filled with instances of revolt in American history.  There is a chapter on Shays' Rebellion and it provides a narrative history of the insurection.  This is a great resource for a generally understanding of the rebellion and it is also easy to read. The encyclopedia takes a holistic approach to the rebellion and does not favor a certain side.

Danver, Steven L. "Shays' Rebellion." Revolts, Protests, Demonstrations, and Rebellions in                                   American History: An Encyclopedia. Vol. 1. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2011. 207-                         26. Print.

 

 

This book argues that Daniel Shays and his rebels were justified in starting a rebellion against the established government.  The title suggests that this was the American Revolution's final battle because the rebellion showed the weakness of the Articles of Confederation and a need for a stronger central government.  Richards is able to show the hypocrisy of the American government by giving several examples of prominent leaders lashing out against the rebellion despite the fact that the government was undoubtedly suppressing the interests of the lower social classes.  This book is a great resource for those interested in researching the rebellion from the perspective of the rebels.  It also is a great source for understanding the foundation of the rebellion, the lasting effects of the rebellion and the major players involved in the rebellion.

Richards, Leonard L. Shays's Rebellion: The American Revolution's Final Battle. Philadelphia:                             University of Pennsylvania, 2002. Print.

Starkey, Marion L. A Little Rebellion. 1st ed. New York City: Knopf, 1955. Print.

This book is an entire overview of Shays's Rebellion.  It lists the major players, the events leading up to the rebellion, and the lasting effects of the rebellion.

Szatmary argues in his book that early depictions of Shays' Rebellion were written from the perspective of the merchant class rather than the agrarian.  The author attempts to interpret the activity of the Shaysites in all of New England rather than just Massachusetts.  This book also addresses the transition in American society from a traditional subsistence society to one controlled by merchant capitalism and how Shays' Rebellion was a product of this transition.  The book also discusses the role that the insurrection had on the creation of the Constitution.  This source can be used for research in a variety of ways.  Whether looking for a general background of the insurrection or a more detailed account of the commercial elite, it covers a wide range of information.    

Szatmary, David P. Shays's Rebellion: The Making of an Agrarian Insurrection. Amherst:                                      University of Massachusetts, 1980. Print.

Journal & Magizine Articles

 

 

Jonathan Smith argues that the conventional interpretation of Shays Rebellion is largely bias, labeling the rebels as an unruly mob instead of taking a neutral approach.  Smith instead offers the opinion that oppressive forces ultimately caused western Massachusetts farmers to organize against the government.  He argues that there were three main causes of the rebellion.  Absence of a strong national government, the deflation of currency, which made paper money practical worthless, and the poverty that existed due to the Revolution.  The circumstances surrounding Shays Rebellion was brought on by the poverty of the peasant class which is reflective of the depression of 1785.  This article can be used for a deeper understanding of the causes of the rebellion as well as the economic condition of the period.  

Smith, Jonathan. "The Depression of 1785 and Daniel Shays Rebellion." The William and Mary                              Quarterly 5.1 (1948): 77-94. JSTOR. Web. 2 Nov. 2013

 

 

This article does a good job at addressing the economic conditions in Massachusetts that ultimately led to Shays Rebellion.  Its analysis of the rebellion begins after the Revolutionary War, which largely set up the economic conditions that made rebellion possible.  Along with economic information, this article also provides detailed accounts of the actual battles fought.  It addresses both the tactics used by Daniel Shays and the strategies implemented by General George Clinton, who led a state raised militia against the attack.  This is a great source for a general understanding of the rebellion and can also be used to provide deeper insight into the economic conditions as well as military tactics used.  

Vaughan, Alden T. "The Horrid and Unnatural Rebellion of Daniel Shays." American Heritage                               June 1966: 1-12. Web. 7 Oct. 2013.

Web Page Sources

 

 

This website is the result of a collaboration between Springfield Technical Community College (STCC), the Springfield Armory, and the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Association.  STCC is located on the historic site where Shays Rebellion took place and believe that it is their responsibility to preserve the sites history.  The website itself is filled with information ranging from timelines and maps to primary source documents.  It includes an extensive list of people who were  involved with the rebellion as well as a series of essays that depict overall themes of the rebellion.  This site is great for those looking for a starting point as well as those looking to narrow their search down. 

Spichiger, Lynne, Barbara Mathews, Juliet Jacobson, and Don Button. Shays's Rebellion & The                             Making of a Nation. Springfield Technical Community College, 2008. Web. 12 Oct.                           2013. 

This website is a supplement to the Calliope documentary A Little Rebellion.  Calliope is an educational film company and this site provides additional details about the rebellion as well as a bibliography of sources.  It also has a section designated for teachers to accompany them in the classroom and to facilitate discussions about the rebellion.  This site has effectively provided an overview of the rebellion and its effects on the Constitution.  While there is value in this site, I believe it should be used as a starting point and any deeper reflection of Daniel Shays' or the rebellion should be found from more scholarly sources. 

Shays' Rebellion (1786-1787) and the Constitution. Calliope Film Resources, 2000. Web.                                     2 Oct. 2013.

Maps

 

This is an interactive map of Shays' Rebellion.  It is a visual aide as well as an information source to events during the rebellion.  It lists nine specific events and details the geographic locations of the nine events.  By having a visual aide that depicts the locations of important events, this site provides excellent context into Shays' Rebellion.  The map is easy to navigate and is organized in a chronology of the events that took place.  There are also links to different maps from this site.

"The Events of Shays' Rebellion." Map. Shays's Rebellion & The Making of a Nation. Springfield                           Technical Community College. Web. 7 Nov. 2013.

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