The Whiskey Rebellion was a significant event in the early history of the United States, occurring in the 1790s. Here's a brief overview: 1. **Cause of the Rebellion**: The event was precipitated by a federal excise tax imposed in 1791 on whiskey by the newly formed federal government under President George Washington. The tax was part of Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton's plan to centralize and strengthen the federal government by reducing its war debt. The tax was particularly burdensome for many farmers in the western frontier regions of Pennsylvania, who often converted their corn into whiskey because it was easier to transport and sell. 2. **Rebellion**: Resistance to the tax became increasingly violent, culminating in what is known as the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794. This was not just a protest against taxes, but a broader conflict about the role and reach of the new federal government. The most significant confrontation occurred in western Pennsylvania and was marked by attacks on tax collectors and the burning of the home of a tax inspector. 3. **Response of the Federal Government**: In response, President George Washington led a force of 13,000 [[militia]]men, drawn from several states, to suppress the rebellion. This was the first time that the new government demonstrated its power to enforce its laws and was a significant test of its authority. 4. **Outcome and Impact**: The rebels dispersed before Washington's force arrived, and there was no major battle. However, the federal government's show of force made clear that it had the power and will to suppress violent resistance to its laws. The Whiskey Rebellion thus helped establish the supremacy of federal law within the country and demonstrated the capacity of the government to maintain order and protect property. The Whiskey Rebellion is often regarded as a defining moment in the early history of the United States, illustrating the power and authority of the new federal government. It also had political ramifications, contributing to the development of the two-party system in the United States, as resistance to the tax led to increased support for the Democratic-Republican Party led by [[Thomas Jefferson]], which opposed Hamilton's Federalist Party. See also: [[anti-government]]