Whiskey Rebellion Research Paper

Starting with Shay’s Rebellion in 1786 then with the Whiskey Rebellion following in 1791 and the last being Fries’ Rebellion in 1799 were three rebellions the uncultivated American government had to put down and dispose of. Shay’s Rebellion being the first and biggest set the standard for each. All the rebellions thought they were exercising their rights and following their nation’s suite by revolting and using their voice and Shay’s case arms as well. After the Revolutionary War the United States was in major debt and needed to pay if off somehow. Taxing, an easy way for governments to collect revenue, seemed logical for the new nation but it lacked the layout to enforce settlers in the west. To keep their hold over the squatters bills were starting to be passed providing a heavier burden of
This tax hurt the farmers hard since everything they produced got taxed. The excess grains corn and other crops were distilled into whiskey or other alcohols that was used as an unofficial currency and was a valuable trading good. So the less crop left over hurt the farmers even more. The whiskey tax quickly gained negative popularity until again people began to struggle against it. While Congress said it was constitutional angered resisters compared British tyranny from whom they just rebelled against. Most of the radical mobsters and leaders were veterans from the Revolutionary War. Stirred up protesters started to threaten and harm tax collectors with the most monumental case being 500 men attacked the home of John Neville. George Washington replied with commissioners to negotiate while gathering an army of 13.000 men led by himself. The mob broke up before Washington arrived preventing a commotion from breaking out between the two groups. Around 200 people were found guilty of breaking the whiskey tax and were sentenced