What prompted Shay's Rebellion?

Shays' Rebellion was primarily prompted by the heavy financial burdens placed on farmers in Massachusetts, particularly through state taxation policies. After the American Revolution, many states, including Massachusetts, faced significant debt and chose to increase taxes to raise revenue. This particularly burdened farmers who were already struggling due to wartime disruptions and economic instability.

In this context, the state taxed free land, which exacerbated the situation for farmers who often lacked cash flow and were unable to pay these taxes. As a result, many faced the seizure of their properties and were even threatened with imprisonment. The rebellion, led by Daniel Shays and other disenfranchised farmers, arose in response to these oppressive economic conditions and the demands for relief from debt and taxes.

While income taxes, the arrest of loyalists, and the withdrawal of British troops were relevant issues during that period, they do not directly relate to the specific grievances that ignited Shays' Rebellion. The specific targeting of land taxes, therefore, serves as the root cause for the uprising, making the choice reflecting the taxation of free land the correct response regarding its motivation.