In Paul M. Thompson's analysis, Shays' Rebellion, spanning from 1786 to 1787, emerges as a crucial moment in American history, reflecting post-Revolutionary War challenges. Led by figures like Daniel Shays and Job Shattuck, discontented farmers and veterans rebelled against economic injustices and government neglect. Triggered by mounting financial crises, including heavy debts and property confiscations, the rebellion exposed the gap between wealthy urban elites and struggling rural communities. The lack of institutional response, with local courts continuing debt collection despite widespread hardship, led to armed conflict, highlighting the failure of the existing system. This prompted calls for reevaluating the Articles of Confederation