Shays, Daniel (c. 1747–1825)

American political agitator. In 1786 he led Shays Rebellion, an armed uprising of impoverished farmers, against the refusal of the state government to offer economic relief. The riot was suppressed 1787 by a Massachusetts militia force, but it drew public attention to the plight of the western farmers and the need for a stronger central government. Shays was pardoned 1788.

Born in western Massachusetts, Shays served in the 5th Massachusetts Regiment during the American Revolution 1775–83, seeing action at the battles of Bunker Hill, Ticonderoga, and Saratoga.