Final answer:
The primary cause of Shays' Rebellion was farmers struggling with large amounts of debt.
Step-by-step explanation:
The primary cause of Shays' Rebellion was farmers struggling with large amounts of debt. In the years following the American Revolution, many farmers in Massachusetts found themselves in deep financial trouble. They had taken out loans to buy land and equipment, but crop prices fell, and they were unable to pay back their debts. The state government's response was to raise taxes, which further burdened the farmers.
With no relief in sight, the farmers organized and began protesting by shutting down courts and preventing the seizure of their property for unpaid debts. This escalated into a full-blown rebellion known as Shays' Rebellion in 1786-1787. While there were other contributing factors, such as economic difficulties and dissatisfaction with the state government, the primary cause can be attributed to the farmers' struggle with debt.
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