History of the Anti-Rent war:1839-1846

Anti-Rent war: This common event occurred in the United States typically in the upper New York City when the farmer who was a lessee was completely unhappy with the patron system.

  • The movement was officially recognized as the leasehold system which in fact led to unrest among the citizens.
  • This system was widespread from 1839 to 1846 and during this movement, the farmers were forced to pay some extra alienation fine which was one-tenth to one-third of their sale in addition to their rent.
  • This system is supposed to come into force during the times of Dutch and it was strange that it was never objected till that day noted.
  • Everyone believed it to be unfair but it was only during the times of Stephen Van Rensselaer who tried to collect rent from the tenant of Albany Country that they rose to opposition and violence broke out.
  • They refused to pay the rent and came forth to face the opposition that they may have to face.
  • As per the facts noted, the position of farmers during those times was equal to copyholder or maybe a villain in accordance to the European feudalism.
  • Gov. William H. Seward at those times took the emergency in his hands and asked for military help immediately.
  • In addition to this, another Gov. Silas made the material law loud and strong.
  • This law supported in lessening the disturbance truly and giving people the freedom to decide where and how to invest the material or their shares.
  • In the coming times, this system was fully abolished when the new state constitution in 1846 came into force.
  • Thereafter, the leasehold system was replaced by fee-simple ownership which definitely made the lives of farmer simple.
  • Truly, the farmers won against the injustice laid upon them for past few centuries.
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