Whiskey Rebellion-

Causes and reactions to it.
in 3-5 sentences

1 answer

The Whiskey Rebellion, which occurred in the 1790s, was primarily caused by the imposition of an excise tax on whiskey by the federal government, aimed at generating revenue to help pay off national debt. This tax disproportionately affected small farmers, particularly in the western territories, who relied on distilling their surplus grain into whiskey for both trade and income. In reaction, marginalized farmers organized protests and violence escalated when a secret denunciation of tax collectors occurred, leading to armed resistance. The federal government, under President George Washington, responded by sendingmilitary troops to quell the rebellion, illustrating the authority of the federal government and establishing its ability to enforce laws. This response also underscored the tension between federal authority and local grievances in the early United States.