The article discusses the causes of violence during Shays' Rebellion in Massachusetts. The author comments on unrest in rural areas of Massachusetts due to taxation, social conditions following the Revolutionary War and the need to barter and notes a lack of support for grievances of rural citizens by residents of Boston, Massachusetts. He suggests aristocratic aspects of the state government and newspaper coverage of the dispute led to outbreaks of violence. He comments that while some of the citizens' grievances could have been resolved through constitutional amendments, other proposed solutions would never have been approved and suggests the number of former soldiers in the population also contributed to violent incidents. The appointment and salaries of colonial governors is noted.