What happens when the promises of liberty collide with economic hardship? In this episode, Shays' Rebellion and the Crisis of the 1780s, we uncover how debt-ridden farmers in Massachusetts, many of them veterans of the Revolution, rose up against foreclosures, taxes, and a government they felt had abandoned them. Led by Daniel Shays, their protests turned into armed resistance that shook the fragile new republic. The rebellion wasn't just about one state's troubles—it revealed deep flaws in the Articles of Confederation and raised urgent questions about authority, justice, and stability. If you've ever wondered why the 1780s are remembered as America's "critical period," this episode shows how a rural uprising forced the nation to confront the need for a stronger government.
