The Whiskey Rebellion |
Taxing Whiskey to Pay War DebtIn 1790, the U.S. government was heavily in debt after the Revolutionary War. To raise money and build the nation's credit, Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton proposed a tax on all distilled spirits, especially whiskey. Frontier Farmers Push BackMany whiskey producers were upset about the tax. Small-scale farmers in the western frontier were especially angry because they had to pay higher taxes in cash, which was scarce in that region. Refusing to PaySome frontier residents simply refused to pay. Others threatened government tax collectors. In some cases, collectors were tarred, feathered, or even tortured. Often, rebels stopped the collectors from setting up offices at all. Anger in Western PennsylvaniaResistance was strongest in western Pennsylvania. Many residents already felt ignored by the government and thought the tax hurt the poor. Some wanted a full rebellion. Others, like Albert Gallatin, encouraged peaceful protest. The Whiskey RebellionIn 1794, angry citizens in Washington County, Pennsylvania, acted. They burned the house of federal tax collector John Neville and stole mail from Pittsburgh to identify their enemies. President George Washington responded by sending 12,950 troops to stop the rebellion. Although 20 rebels were arrested, none were prosecuted. In 1790, the U.S. was in debt after the Revolutionary War. To raise money, Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton created a tax on whiskey. Farmers in the West Were AngrySmall farmers in the western frontier were very upset. They had to pay more and had to use cash, which was hard to get in the west. People Refused to PayMany people refused to pay the tax. Some threatened tax collectors. Others attacked them or stopped them from doing their jobs. Western Pennsylvania Fights BackIn western Pennsylvania, anger was strongest. People there already felt ignored by the government and thought the tax was unfair. Some wanted to rebel, while others pushed for peaceful protest. The Whiskey Rebellion BeginsIn 1794, rebels in Washington County burned a tax collector’s house and stole mail to find out who was against them. President George Washington sent nearly 13,000 soldiers to stop the rebellion. Twenty people were arrested, but no one was punished in the end. |
