Did Shay's Rebellion shatter the peace in western New York?

Answer 1

Western MASSACHUSETTS.

For a nice narrative of events, check this:
http://www.calliope.org/shays/shays2.html

I've just started reading an interesting book that takes a close look at the reasons why these agrarian uprisings took place -- led by farmers and others pinched by debt, a constricted money supply and taxes, forced to sell their property, etc. The common view tends only to look at the OTHER side (of the creditors and merchants who wanted the loans paid off)

- Woody Holton, *Unruly Americans and the Origins of the Constitution* (2007)

Note that, whereas Shay and those with him were successfully put down (though the state also made some compromises with them over taxes, etc) in RHODE ISLAND at about the same time (1786), the "Country Party" swept elections and enacted the 'agrarian agenda' (e.g., printing a lot of paper money to pay debts). This was another MAJOR impetus for the Constitutional Convention to which, no surprise, the new Rhode Island legislature sent NO delegates.

Oh, and incidentally, the man's name was Daniel Shays (the "s" is part of his name) so it's either "Shays' Rebellion" or (my preference) "Shays's Rebellion"

Answer 2

Western Massachusetts. It was a fight between American Revolution veterans and the banks and Mass. State Government over taxation during service, farm foreclosure, and unequal protections under the law. The Rebellion failed, but it showed the inadequacy of the Federal Government at that time. This led to the Constitutional Convention, the Constitution, and the Federal Government as it is today.

I hope that helps.