What was the Regulator Movement a reaction against?

The Regulator Movement, which occurred in the 1760s in the backcountry regions of the American colonies, was primarily a response to the perceived injustices of local governmental authority. It primarily focused on the issue of unfair taxation and the lack of representation for those living in the rural areas compared to their urban counterparts. The movement arose among frontier farmers who felt that the colonial government was failing to address their needs, particularly regarding heavy taxation and corrupt practices by local officials. They believed that wealthier residents of coastal areas were influencing taxes and policies that disproportionately affected poorer farmers and those living further inland.

While the other options represent significant issues of their time, they do not accurately encapsulate the focus of the Regulator Movement. Government tyranny can be interpreted in this context as a broader issue, but the specific grievances of the Regulators centered on financial exploitation rather than political oppression alone. Religious persecution was not a principal factor in the Regulator Movement, as this movement was largely secular and focused on economic and governance issues. Lastly, while Indian attacks were a concern during this period, they were not the catalyst for the Regulator Movement, which centered more on economic and administrative grievances concerning local governance and taxation.