Rebellion in the Early Republic - Farmer Uprising | 1

American History Tellers

Wondery

Society & Culture, Kids & Family, History, Education For Kids

4.7 • 18.3K Ratings

🗓️ 18 March 2020

⏱️ 40 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

The dust had barely settled on the American Revolution when new unrest erupted in western Massachusetts. Thousands of farmers and laborers rose up in protest against unjust taxes and a state government that seemed as oppressive as the British Crown. When their demands for reform fell on deaf ears, the protesters grew more desperate. They took up muskets, swords, and clubs and formed blockades to shut down local courthouses. The growing revolt became known as Shays’s Rebellion.

Boston’s government and merchant elites were horrified by the upheaval, fearing the specter of mob rule. They saw the uprising as democracy run amok, and moved to raise an army against the rebels. The showdown would test the very legacy of the American Revolution.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hey, prime members, you can listen to American History Tellers add free on Amazon Music, download the app today.
0:18.0	Imagine that it's June 1782 in Springfield, Massachusetts. It's late afternoon and the heat is unbearable.
0:26.0	You wipe the sweat from your brow, it doesn't help that you're wearing your old wool army uniform.
0:31.0	All day you've been marching shoulder to shoulder with more than a hundred of your neighbors and friends.
0:36.0	Scan the crowd, some carry muskets, other wheeled swords and cleavers you call out.
0:45.0	June is the most demanding time on local farms. Your own has been in bad shape since the Army discharge you two years ago.
0:52.0	You should be cutting hay right now, but this is too important. You know you have to take drastic action if you're going to save your farm.
0:58.0	Quickly now, let's go!
1:00.0	You're just steps from the county jail, where Reverend Samuel Ealy has been held for the past two months.
1:05.0	You think about Ealy's call to rise up against corrupt merchants and lawyers.
1:10.0	You grip titans around the axe in your hand. Just then a guard exits the jail with a musket primed.
1:18.0	A command all of you to disperse.
1:20.0	He looks barely older than your teenage brother, and he's completely surrounded.
1:24.0	And doesn't men break off to circle him.
1:27.0	You push past them and storm the jail door with your neighbors.
1:30.0	Hurry up, I'm sure word has already gotten to the sheriff about this.
1:35.0	Entering the jail, your axe is held high. You're immediately overwhelmed with the stench.
1:40.0	You pull a handkerchief to your mouth and nose.
1:43.0	It's filthy and damp inside the single cell that holds Ealy and two other men.
1:47.0	Only a sliver of late afternoon sunlight streams through the tiny window.
1:51.0	Come on, there's not much time. We've got to break this lock.
1:54.0	You and your neighbor take turns swinging your axes against the iron door.
	...

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