Download Whiskey Rebellion

Challenges to the New
Government
Whiskey Rebellion



To help pay off the war debt, Washington
started to tax whiskey
Whiskey is an alcoholic beverage
The farmers who grew the grain to make
the whiskey were angry.
Why whiskey?





Farmers had a hard time getting their grain to
market, so they turned their grain into whiskey,
which was easier to transport.
They got more money for the whiskey anyway.
Farmers traded the whiskey for salt, sugar, and
other goods.
Farmers used whiskey as money to get
whatever supplies they needed.
Farmers did not have the money to pay for the
tax.
Unlike tariffs paid on goods imported into the United States,
the excise tax on distilled spirits was a direct tax on
Americans who produced whiskey and other alcohol spirits.
The 1791 excise law set a varying six to 18-cent per gallon
tax rate, with smaller distillers often paying more than twice
per gallon what larger producers paid. All payments had to
be made in cash to the Federal revenue officer appointed
for the distiller's county
Large, commercial distillers in the eastern United States
generally accepted the new excise tax since they could
pass its cost onto their cash-paying customers. However,
most smaller producers west of the Appalachian and
Allegheny Mountains, then the Nation's frontier, opposed
the "whiskey tax."
The Rebellion


In the summer of 1794, a group of farmers
in Western Pennsylvania rebelled against
the whiskey tax and staged the Whiskey
Rebellion.
One group beat up a tax collector and
coated him with tar and feathers.
Why do you think tax collectors were tarred and
feathered?
The Government Responds



Alexander Hamilton wanted the
government to look strong. He
encouraged President Washington to
stop the revolt.
Federal troops marched to Western
Pennsylvania and put down the revolt.
Washington had proved that the
government would deal with people not
obeying the law.
Why do you think Washington chose to lead the troops
himself?
Washington’s Farewell Address





Before he retired, Washington gave a farewell
address (speech). In it he
Warned against political parties - he thought they
caused arguments
Urged the nation to remain neutral and not
become involved in foreign alliances.
Warned against a powerful military.
Urged Americans to maintain and value a sense
of national unity.
Political Parties



Despite Washington’s warnings, political
parties developed.
The first two political parties were the
Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.
The Federalists wanted a strong national
government. The Democratic-Republicans
thought a strong national government
would lead to tyranny.
Hamilton versus Jefferson




Alexander Hamilton led the Federalists.
Thomas Jefferson led the DemocraticRepublicans.
Northern merchants and manufacturers
became Federalists.
Southern farmers and workers became
Democratic-Republicans
John Adams Becomes 2nd
President


After Washington
retired, his VicePresident, John Adams
became the second
president.
Thomas Jefferson came
in second. He became
Vice-President.
Alien and Sedition Acts




President Adams was criticized for the XYZ affair
by Democratic-Republican newspapers.
He blamed the papers and new immigrants for
his problems.
To silence his critics, the Alien and Sedition Acts
were passed.
These acts targeted aliens —immigrants who
were not yet citizens.