Poverty in American History

The following video is about Shays' Rebellion, an effect of America's debt after the Revolutionary War.

Poverty is not just something that affects the people living in it.
In this video, it is evident that poverty has played a significant role in the way that history plays out. Shays' Rebellion is a perfect example of a widespread popular revolution. England refused the buy American goods, resulting in lack of trade revenue for Bostonian merchants. Farmers were so oppressed by the taxes imposed upon them that they would have to sell their farms. Those who were incapable of paying off their debt were thrown into debtor's prisons. Their wives were unable to sustain their family without work, they had to care for their children. They were helpless. This was the last straw.

 With so many people living in poverty, a numerous amount of poor farmers living in Massachusetts worked together to continue in the revolutionary spirit and rebel against their government once again. It almost seems like a repetition of the causes that led to the Revolutionary War in the first place, does it not?

Poverty influenced the outcome of historic events back in 1786 and does so even today. Many of the people who got laid off from their jobs during the recession probably ended up living below the poverty line. The protesters in the Occupy Wall Street movement definitely had concerns about financial services and economic issues.

If there is support, or strength in numbers, people will develop "groupthink" and fight for a cause they deeply care about, regardless of alternatives.