Albert Axtell, age 14, of Lynn, Mass., for his question:

WHAT WAS SHAYS' REBELLION?

Shay's Rebellion was a revolt by debtor farmers against their creditors and against the high taxes collected in Massachusetts during the 1780s. The rebellion was part of widespread discontent among small property owners and farmers in the United States after the Revolutionary War. Many of these people faced imprisonment because they could not pay their debts.

Daniel Shays was one of several men who became leaders of the rebellion. His sympathy for the farmers led him to take an active part in their protests and the movement was named after him.

In 1786, unrest among farmers and debtors grew into revolt. Shays led a mob of about 600 persons gathered in front of the courthouse at Springfield, Mass. Although the state militia subdued the rebels, their case was understood.

The fears that were aroused by the rebellion helped to produce a stronger central government in the United States. As a result of the rebellion, the Articles of Confederation were revised. This eventually led to the adoption of the United States Constitution.