Paxton Boys And The Regulator Movement Analysis

Before the American Revolution, there were social and economic changes which upset frontiersmen. They became agitated due to their social situation with Indians and their failing local government. In response to these annoyances, frontiersmen chose to use violence to achieve their demands. During this period of civil unrest, two attempted revolutions in particular made national headlines: The March of the Paxton Boys and The Regulator Movement. The movements differed because the Paxton Boys demanded social change while the Regulator Movement called for economic change. Both revolutions were similar because they used violence as a way to achieve their demands. The Paxton Boys rallied around the concept of retaliation against Indians; The

Tensions between Americans and Indians rose due to the passive stance America courts took when dealing with hate crimes against Indians. Rumors centered around the idea of Indians encroaching on colonists’ land were widespread. Although fabricated, the gossip quickly escalated the already high tensions between the two cultures. Pennsylvania colonists discovered their precious tax dollars went towards providing aid to the many Indians who lived amongst them. Paxton, a village located in Pennsylvania, became the hotspot for disgruntled, committed radicals wanting to attack neighboring Indian tribes. The village of Paxton was primarily occupied by pacifist Quakers, so it was easy for the radicals to overpower the town. (Who Were the Paxton Boys?... 1). This city provided an organized meeting spot where radicals could conjugate and discuss plans. In December of 1763, men from the village of Paxton took up arms and raided a small tribe of Conestoga Indians (John H.

The tribe only focused on cultivating the land, and had no weapons to protect themselves. With no weapons, the attackers had an overwhelming victory. After the attack, no charges were pressed against the men of Paxton, largely due to the fact that Pennsylvanians sympathized with them. Neighboring Indian tribes, along with the few who survived the Conestoga raid, fled to the town of Lancaster for protection from the aggressive Paxton men. The Indians however, received no protection. The Paxton men, along with fellow frontiersmen, went to Lancaster in search of these Indians. The Paxton men gathered the helpless Indians and butchered them (A Narrative of the Late Massacres 1). To this day, it is unclear if local authorities attempted to prevent this act of terror. The mob left no witnesses, so nobody could prove their guilt. Benjamin Franklin responded to the event by writing a letter in 1764 addressing the men. The letter stated, “[the] barbarous Men … then mounted their Horses, huzza'd in Triumph, as if they had gained a Victory, and rode off-unmolested!” (Benjamin Franklin, "An Account ..” 1). This letter told portrayed to the nation that America will not stand for such hateful acts and that the authorities will go after the men responsible. Taking a National stance against the men turned the movement not only against the Indians, but against America’s