From 1775 to 1781, the American people won the War of Independence after arduous struggles. However, the post-independence political power was controlled by the bourgeoisie and plantation owners, and the working people were still oppressed and exploited.
In particular, the farmers’ urgent desire for land was frustrated due to the federal government’s land decree. As a result, people everywhere started a struggle to demand land, wages, and tax relief. Daniel Xies was a soldier in the Continental Army at the beginning of the War of Independence in North America. He was promoted to Captain of the Army and received a sword from the famous French politician and soldier who participated in the war in the United States. After the victory of the War of Independence, Xies returned to his hometown like other veterans, but living in poverty, he had to sell the sword given by Lafayette.
Reality made him realize that the new ruler had already seized the fruit of victory, which should belong to the people. So he put forward the slogan "Redistribute Shangdi and cancel debts", which was supported by many people. In September 1786, he and his comrade Luke De led an armed uprising of more than 600 farmers, handicraftsmen and veterans in Massachusetts. With the support of urban civilians, the insurgents marched towards Boston from Concord. On September 5, the Boston courthouse, which was trying the farmer’s debt case, was surrounded, and the trial had to be stopped. The authorities hurriedly sent troops to suppress it. After a fierce battle, the Sheath Rebels failed to withdraw from Massachusetts and began a guerrilla war. In November 1786, Xies led his troops into Renster, surrounded the courts there, barred judges from entering the courts to make judgments, and opened the prison to release the imprisoned innocent laborers.
In December of the same year, the rebel army grew to 15,000, occupied many small towns in Massachusetts, established power, and prepared to attack Boston. In January 1787, Xies led the main force to attack the Springfield arsenal. The government sent Lincoln to help the government defenders. Lincoln tricked the leaders of the rebels into negotiating with them to buy time to wait for the reinforcements; the rebels relaxed. Be wary, many people left the team and went home. On a cold February night, the government forces suddenly launched an offensive. The rebels were caught off guard and hurriedly retreated, suffering heavy casualties. This team persisted for several months, and finally was defeated in the wilderness of western Massachusetts, and the uprising failed. 150 captured in the battle, Xies and 13 of his comrades were sentenced to death. As people everywhere protested, the ruler had to change the death penalty to imprisonment, and he was about to be released soon.
The Shays Uprising was the largest people's uprising since the independence of the United States. It wrote a glorious page for the American people to fight for democratic rights.