The Continental Congress and state governments imposed a Poll tax to pay for the Revolutionary War debts. Profitable trade with the West Indies was stopped by the British. Gold and silver became scarce and paper money was printed. Pro-debtor polices were adopted including "tender laws" and "stay laws". The dollar drastically de-valued, people were forced to barter. The poll tax was based on the same head tax, regardless of income. The poor farmers of Massachusetts were unable to pay the taxes, their lands were sold and many were thrown into debtors prison. For detailed events see Shays Rebellion.There were many causes, but the primary cause of Shays Rebellion was the economic crisis in the country and the taxes introduced to pay the war debts incurred during the War of Independence. The causes of Shays Rebellion were politically significant and these, together with the rebellion itself, contributed to the publication of the Federalist Papers.
