Persuasive Essay Sample: Daniel Shays Was A Patriot

Although many might think he is a traitor, Daniel Shays is a devoted patriot to the U.S who fought for the U.S and it’s citizens. Shays fought during the Revolutionary War, helped inspire founding fathers to write a stronger form of government, and although he still did many bad things that might motivate people to think he is a traitor, he fought for the better of his country and its citizens.

Daniel Shays was undoubtedly a loyal patriot who fought valiantly for the good of his country and its people. He was a farmer who left his farm and family during the Revolutionary War to struggle for the independence of his country and fought in many of the fiercest battles in US history. According to 10 Days That Changed America: Shays’ Rebellion 1787, “Shays devoted 5 years of his life fighting in the Revolutionary War….. And started the battle as a private and produced his way up to being a captain.....He was also awarded a sword by Marquis De Lafayette.” This piece of evidence clearly demonstrates how he is a patriot because he fought for his country, and that he was a very significant person to the citizens. It isn’t easy to go from being a private, the lowest level, to a captain, one of the highest.Being awarded a sword by Marquis de Lafayette is also something to be extremely proud of. Lafayette was a French soldier that was sent to America to serve the Americans during the revolutionary war. He was immensely admired by many, and to be awarded a sword by him is a tremendous honor and shows that you were a true Patriot to the U.S.

Daniel Shays was a patriot who helped Americans instantly realize they needed a stronger form of government and that the Articles of Confederation were too weak. When Shays started the Rebellion, many realized that their government was too weak and that they needed something stronger. According to Daniel Shays, 1747-1825

Reluctant Leader of a Little Rebellion, ““The greatest legacy of Shays' Rebellion, however , is that it helped shape the federal Constitution and then spurred the adoption of the Bill of  Rights.” Another quote that supports my claim, by Shays Rebellion in a Nutshell,The maker of Shays' Rebellion In a Nutshell also noted that, “The rebellion inspired Alexander  Hamilton and James Madison to give more control over the militia to a central government.” These two pieces of evidence show how Daniel Shays was a patriot because he helped his country for the better. Without the Rebellion, we wouldn’t have had the constitution we have today. Many farmers who fought hard for their country and dedicated many years of their lives to fighting for the independence of their country ended up being in debt and being thrown in prison because they couldn’t pay off their debts. The rebellion helped the citizens realize that they needed a stronger form of government. 

Even though Daniel Shays was a patriot, many would think that he is a traitor because Shays closed down the courts using mob power, and also tried to attack the arsenal and take the weapons. Although Shays did try to attack the arsenal and closed down the courts, it was all for a good cause. His friends were thrown into debtors' prison after serving their country for several years. Yes, life isn’t always fair and violence isn’t always the answer, but Shays tried many different ways before that didn’t work. They signed petitions but they were still ignored, so the only way to be heard was to take action. The rebellion also helped form our constitution today. According to 10 Days That Changed America: Shays’ Rebellion 1787, “They used mob power to shut down courts all over Massachusetts so that nobody can be thrown into debtors' prison.” Another quote that may show he is a traitor from Daniel Shays by Wayne Phaneauf is, “Shays halted his column about five miles from Springfield and sent a message to Ludke Day to prepare for an attack on an arsenal.” Although Shays did a lot of bad things, he had a good intention in his heart,and did it to help his friends. 

Without a doubt, Daniel Shays was a patriot that helped his country for the better. He fought for the independence of his country in the Revolutionary War, motivated the writing of a newer and better form of government, and helped free his farmer friends from debtors' prison. All of his acts show he is a patriot and supports the fact that Daniel Shays was a good person who did it for the good of his country and its citizens.