Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of Tables and Figures
- Acknowledgments
- 1 The Mystery of State Contribution
- 2 National Interests and State Sovereignty: Objectives of the Confederation
- 3 Collective Action and the Provision of Public Goods
- 4 The History of State Compliance
- 5 State Contributions and Private Interests
- 6 Reacting to Rebellion
- 7 A New Constitution
- 8 Conclusion
- Appendix: Olson's Collective Action Game
- Glossary
- References
- Index
6 - Reacting to Rebellion
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 15 October 2009
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- List of Tables and Figures
- Acknowledgments
- 1 The Mystery of State Contribution
- 2 National Interests and State Sovereignty: Objectives of the Confederation
- 3 Collective Action and the Provision of Public Goods
- 4 The History of State Compliance
- 5 State Contributions and Private Interests
- 6 Reacting to Rebellion
- 7 A New Constitution
- 8 Conclusion
- Appendix: Olson's Collective Action Game
- Glossary
- References
- Index
Summary
Few circumstances could give me more pleasure than to see these Governments answer the ends that were expected, but my doubts go far beyond my hopes. The confederal Government was always an object of division rather than anything else with me – its like a man's attempting to walk with both legs cut off – all our Executives are water mixed with water – wishy washy stuff.
– John F. MercerIn September 1786, Daniel Shays led an angry mob toward the state supreme court house in Springfield, Massachusetts. Forced to pay off property debts accrued while serving in the Revolutionary War, these men attempted to stop court proceedings in Springfield and to suspend additional foreclosures on their homes. The insurgents succeeded in obstructing the court for days and created additional bedlam throughout western Massachusetts for several months. The insurrection climaxed on January 23, 1787, when Shays followed through with his threat to seize the national arsenal at Springfield. The assault was repelled by a small detachment stationed at the arsenal, but the rebellion was not quelled until state troops, financed by donations from private businessmen in the eleventh hour, confronted Shays in Petersham. The Continental Congress was informed of rebellious activity as early as August 1786. The Secretary at War, Henry Knox, initiated a national response to the rebellion in late September and explicitly requested federal troops. Congress perceived Shays' Rebellion to be a threat of grave national concern.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Collective Action under the Articles of Confederation , pp. 103 - 128Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2000