20 years after the Revolutionary war that resulted in America's independence, the first major protest of the new country took place over a Tax on Whiskey thanks to the Whiskey Act. The act was designed by Founding Father Alexander Hamilton, who was then the Treasury Secretary. Later on, the act passed both the House and Senate and was signed into law by Founding Father and 1st President George Washington.
Many Western Farmers who distilled their leftover grain and corn into whiskey protested this tax, saying it was "Taxation without Representation," which the Revolutionary War was suppose to be about. Many protested against the tax, and sometimes tar and feathered those who were tax collectors or sided with federal tax officials.
With West Pensylvania in open rebellion, George Washington's attempts to negotiate with the rebels did little to quell their anger. He ended up calling forth a militia that was sent to quell the insurrection of the Whiskey Rebels. Said militia was lead by Revolutionary hero Henry "Lighthorse Harry" Lee(Who's son Robert E Lee would later lead the armies of the Confederacy). In October 1794, the militias were able to bring down the rebellion, causing some of its leaders to flee while others were arrested(And later pardoned), though some lawbreakers were convicting of rioting and assault.
You can read more about the Whiskey Rebellion at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiskey_Rebellion
What's your opinion? Do you think it was the right thing for President Washington to quell the violence? Or do you side with the Whiskey Rebels and thought the tax itself was completely unfair?
Many Western Farmers who distilled their leftover grain and corn into whiskey protested this tax, saying it was "Taxation without Representation," which the Revolutionary War was suppose to be about. Many protested against the tax, and sometimes tar and feathered those who were tax collectors or sided with federal tax officials.
With West Pensylvania in open rebellion, George Washington's attempts to negotiate with the rebels did little to quell their anger. He ended up calling forth a militia that was sent to quell the insurrection of the Whiskey Rebels. Said militia was lead by Revolutionary hero Henry "Lighthorse Harry" Lee(Who's son Robert E Lee would later lead the armies of the Confederacy). In October 1794, the militias were able to bring down the rebellion, causing some of its leaders to flee while others were arrested(And later pardoned), though some lawbreakers were convicting of rioting and assault.
You can read more about the Whiskey Rebellion at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whiskey_Rebellion
What's your opinion? Do you think it was the right thing for President Washington to quell the violence? Or do you side with the Whiskey Rebels and thought the tax itself was completely unfair?