List of rebellions in the United States facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The United States has a long history of people standing up for what they believe in. Sometimes, this has led to protests and even rebellions. These events, from the early colonial days to more recent times, show how different groups have tried to change things they felt were unfair. This article explores some of these important moments when people challenged authority or fought for their rights.

Early American Rebellions: Fighting for Change
19th Century Uprisings: Freedom and Rights
20th and 21st Century Protests and Occupations
See also

Early American Rebellions: Fighting for Change

Bacon's Rebellion: A Fight in Colonial Virginia (1676)

In 1676, a big uprising happened in the Colony of Virginia. It was led by a man named Nathaniel Bacon. His group, made up of settlers, attacked Native American tribes. They also forced Governor William Berkeley out of the capital, Jamestown, and burned the city.

The rebellion was eventually stopped by colonial authorities. Many different people, including enslaved people and poor white workers, joined Bacon. This event led to new laws in Virginia that made life harder for enslaved people.

Boston Revolt: Ending a Dominion (1689)

On April 18, 1689, people in Boston rose up against Governor Edmund Andros. He was the ruler of the Dominion of New England, a large colonial area. The colonists arrested officials and took control of Boston. This action helped to bring back the Colony of Massachusetts Bay and end the Dominion of New England.

Leisler's Rebellion: New York's Uprising (1689–1691)

From 1689 to 1691, a German American merchant and militia leader named Jacob Leisler took control of southern colonial New York. His supporters, called Leislerians, rebelled and took over New York City. They made Leisler the governor. However, the British Crown regained control two years later and Leisler was executed.

War of the Regulation: North Carolina's Tax Protests (1765–1771)

The War of the Regulation took place in Colony of North Carolina. It was a fight between ordinary citizens, called Regulators, and the colonial government. The Regulators were unhappy about high taxes and corrupt officials. Key battles included the Battle at the Yadkin River and the Battle of Alamance.

The royal governor, William Tryon, and his forces defeated the Regulators. This was a clear victory for the government.

American Revolution: Birth of a Nation (1765–1783)

The American Revolution was a huge event that led to the creation of the United States. The Thirteen Colonies were unhappy with British rule and high taxes. Events like the Boston Massacre and the Pine Tree Riot showed growing tensions.

The colonists fought the American Revolutionary War against Britain. They won their independence and formed the United States of America. This war completely changed the map of North America.

Shays' Rebellion: Farmers Fight for Fairness (1786–1787)

After the Revolutionary War, many farmers in Western Massachusetts faced hard times. They were in debt and worried about losing their land. In August 1786, Revolutionary War veteran Daniel Shays led these farmers in a protest. They were upset about economic problems and unfair laws.

The rebels were eventually stopped by a private militia. However, their actions showed the weaknesses of the early U.S. government under the Articles of Confederation. This rebellion helped lead to the creation of the U.S. Constitution.

Whiskey Rebellion: Tax Protests in Pennsylvania (1791–1794)

The Whiskey Rebellion happened in Western Pennsylvania. Farmers there were angry about a new tax on whiskey, which they often made from their grain. President George Washington himself led an army to put down the protest. This showed that the new federal government was strong enough to enforce its laws.

Fries's Rebellion: Pennsylvania Dutch Farmers (1799–1800)

In 1799, Pennsylvania Dutch farmers rebelled against a new property tax. This was known as Fries's Rebellion. Thirty men involved in the revolt faced trials in federal court.

19th Century Uprisings: Freedom and Rights

1811 German Coast Uprising: A Slave Rebellion (1811)

From January 8–10, 1811, a large group of enslaved men marched from sugar plantations near LaPlace toward New Orleans. This was a brave attempt to gain freedom. Militia companies hunted down and killed many of the rebels.

Nat Turner's Slave Rebellion: A Fight for Freedom (1831)

In August 1831, Nat Turner's slave rebellion took place in Southampton County, Virginia. Led by Nat Turner, enslaved people rebelled and killed many people. The rebellion was quickly stopped. Sadly, this event led to even harsher laws against both enslaved and free black people.

Dorr Rebellion: Voting Rights in Rhode Island (1841–1842)

The Dorr Rebellion in Rhode Island was an effort to change the state's government. People wanted a new constitution that would allow more men to vote. Although the rebellion failed, it eventually led to more voting rights for citizens.

Taos Revolt: New Mexico's Resistance (1847)

During the Mexican–American War, people in northern New Mexico rebelled against the United States. This was the Taos Revolt. New Mexicans and their Pueblo allies fought against the American occupation. After some battles, the rebels stopped open warfare.

John Brown's Raid on Harpers Ferry: Abolitionist Action (1859)

On October 16, 1859, abolitionist John Brown led a raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia. He hoped to start a large slave revolt. Brown and his followers were captured by U.S. Marines. This event increased tensions between the North and South, leading up to the Civil War.

American Civil War: A Nation Divided (1861–1865)

The American Civil War was the biggest conflict in U.S. history. Seven Southern states, which allowed slavery, left the United States after Abraham Lincoln was elected president. Four more states joined them, forming the Confederate States of America.

The war lasted four years and caused immense loss of life. The Union won, and the country was reunited. This war ended slavery and led to the Reconstruction era.

New York City Draft Riots: Wartime Unrest (1863)

During the Civil War, New York City saw major riots from July 13–16, 1863. People were angry about a new draft law that forced men to join the army. There were also attacks on black citizens due to economic competition. Union troops had to restore order. This was one of the largest civil disturbances in American history.

20th and 21st Century Protests and Occupations

Coal Wars: Labor Conflicts (c.1890–1930)

The Coal Wars were a series of armed conflicts between miners and coal companies, mainly in the Eastern United States and Colorado. Miners fought for better working conditions and pay. Important events included the Coal Creek War and the Battle of Blair Mountain. These struggles were a key part of the labor movement.

Battle of Athens: Veterans Fight Corruption (1946)

In August 1946, World War II veterans and other citizens in McMinn County, Tennessee rebelled. They were angry about voter intimidation and corruption in local elections. They attacked buildings to protest. This event led to important reforms in the area.

Puerto Rican Nationalist Revolt: Seeking Independence (1950)

On October 30, 1950, the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party led a revolt in Jayuya, Puerto Rico. They sought independence for Puerto Rico. Nationalist leaders were arrested and jailed.

Black Power Movement: Civil Rights Radicalization (1960s–1980s)

The Black Power movement was a time when the Civil Rights Movement became more radical. Groups like the Black Panther Party sought greater power and self-determination for black communities. Events like the Glenville shootout occurred during this period.

Red Power Movement: Native American Rights (1960s–1970s)

The Red Power movement was a Native American rights movement. It aimed to improve conditions for Native Americans and reclaim their heritage. A key event was the Wounded Knee incident.

Occupation of Alcatraz: Native American Activism (1969–1971)

From November 1969 to June 1971, Native American activists calling themselves "Indians of All Tribes" took over Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. They lived there for two years to protest government policies toward Native Americans. Federal agencies eventually ended the occupation.

Bundy Standoff: Land Rights Dispute (2014)

In April 2014, an armed standoff occurred in Bunkerville, Nevada. It involved rancher Cliven Bundy and his supporters against the Bureau of Land Management. Bundy refused to pay fees for grazing his cattle on federal land, claiming the government had no right to own it. The standoff ended without violence, but the legal issues continued.

Occupation of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge: Federal Land Protest (2016)

From January to February 2016, an armed group occupied the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Harney County, Oregon. They believed the federal government should give public lands to individual states. The occupation ended after police action, leading to criminal trials. This event was related to the earlier Bundy standoff.

Capitol Hill Occupied Protest: Seattle's Autonomous Zone (2020)

In June 2020, during the George Floyd protests, protesters took over an area in Seattle, Washington, near a police precinct. They called it the "Capitol Hill Occupied Protest" or "autonomous zone." The city eventually cleared the area in July.

2021 United States Capitol Attack: Challenging Election Results (2021)

On January 6, 2021, supporters of President Donald Trump stormed the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. They broke through barriers, fought with police, and entered the building. Their goal was to stop the counting of electoral votes and overturn the 2020 presidential election results.

The attack delayed the counting of votes for several hours. It was the most serious assault on the Capitol since 1814.