Whiskey Rebellion
The Whiskey Rebellion was a rebellion against the federal government of the United States. Some farmers in western Pennsylvania rebelled against the United States government in 1794 because they believed that a new tax on whiskey was not fair. Selling whiskey was how people traded in western Pennsylvania, but farmers elsewhere did not need to sell whiskey.
The United States had borrowed a large amount of money for the American Revolutionary War, and Alexander Hamilton offered the idea to try to pay the war debt. The government under George Washington, with advice from Alexander Hamilton, quickly stopped the rebellion. Washington and Hamilton wanted to ensure that no one would question the power of the federal government and so Washington himself led almost 13,000 troops to stop the rebellion of a few hundred farmers. The rebels went home before the army arrived.
The new federal government became more solid and the president more powerful.[1] Numerous examples of resistance are recorded in court documents and newspaper accounts.[2]
That is the only time in American history that a president has led the army by himself.
Whiskey Rebellion Media
- Alexander Hamilton A17950.jpg
Alexander Hamilton in a 1792 portrait by John Trumbull
- This engraving is a rendering by Seth Eastman of Lewis Brantz's original watercolor painting of Pittsburgh from 1790.jpg
Pittsburgh in 1790, engraving from a watercolor by Lewis Brantz (University of Pittsburgh Archives & Special Collections)
- Whiskey Insurrection.JPG
"Famous Whiskey Insurrection in Pennsylvania", an 1880 illustration of a tarred and feathered tax collector being made to ride the rail
- William Findley.jpg
In his 1796 book, Congressman William Findley argued that Alexander Hamilton had deliberately provoked the Whiskey Rebellion.
- Hugh Henry Brackenridge.jpg
Portrait of en:Hugh Henry Brackenridge (1748 – 1816).
- AlbertGallatin.jpeg
Photo of Albert Gallatin, who spoke publicly to rebel groups about the need for moderation
- JamesMillerHouse.jpg
The James Miller House on the Oliver Miller Homestead located in South Park Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. In 1794, the first fired gunshots of the Whiskey Rebellion occurred on the property when revenue officers served a writ on William Miller. Shots were fired but the officers were not injured. Later, William was pardoned.
- Flag of the Whiskey Rebellion.svg
"Whiskey Rebellion Flag" purported to have been used by the rebels
