Whiskey Rebellion

Whiskey Rebellion : 

Whiskey Rebellion Pennsylvanians Are At It Again!! Why Can’t They Just Obey the Government???

Background to the Whiskey Rebellion : 

Background to the Whiskey Rebellion With the new constitution in place, the government had to raise money to pay off the war debt (sound familiar – remember the need to pay off the debt of the French and Indian War and a tax was imposed and a war resulted), so the government imposed a tax on “distilled spirits”.

Impact of Whiskey Tax : 

Impact of Whiskey Tax Impacted farmers in Western Pennsylvania the most as almost 25 percent of the stills in the nation were located there and the already high cost of transportation of goods to eastern markets cut into their profits. Remember from last unit the people of Western Pennsylvania were not in favor of a strong national government, so this move by the National government did not sit well with the farmers.

Confrontation : 

Confrontation Federal agents were sent to Western Pennsylvania to collect the taxes and violent confrontations took place between the farmers and the agents. Agents homes were burnt Agents were tarred and feathered Anti-tax meetings were called Local militia was called to meet at Braddock’s Field near Pittsburgh

Leaders of the Cause : 

Leaders of the Cause Hugh Henry Brackenridge, author and founder of the Pittsburgh Gazette William Findley, wealthy landowner and political leader Albert Gallatin, a leading Pennsylvania businessman, land developer, and State legislator who opposed internal Federal taxes encouraged peaceful rebellion

George Washington’s Response : 

George Washington’s Response President issues a proclamation for the rebels " to disperse and retire peaceably to their respective abodes." He also asks for troops from bordering states (13,000 troops). Rebels do not obey Sends officials (Attorney General William Bradford, Senator James Ross of Pennsylvania, and Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Jasper Yeates) to speak to the leaders of the rebellion before sending troops. Troops met at Carlisle, Pennsylvania

Forces Meet : 

Forces Meet Washington personally leads the troops from Carlisle to Bedford (the president is the commander-in-chief of the army, but not usually on the potential field of battle). Washington places General Henry Lee (governor of Virginia) in charge with a letter to put the rebellion down. National troops capture and imprison many rebels (they are later set free) and the rebellion is put down.

Outcome of the Whiskey Rebellion : 

Outcome of the Whiskey Rebellion Federal government passes first test of its power Several of the rebels become political forces in Pennsylvania that help reunify the state: Hugh Henry Brackenridge, William Findley, Albert Gallatin

“Hot Water Rebellion” : 

“Hot Water Rebellion” Eastern Pennsylvania (Bucks, Northampton and Lehigh counties) had its own tax revolt in the early years of the country. Fearing war with France, the Federal government wanted to raise money that would be used to support the endeavor. The tax was to be based on “land … houses … and the enumeration of slaves”. Pennsylvania had very few slaves so it was based on land and the size of the house (calculated by the number of windows).

“Hot Water Rebellion” : 

“Hot Water Rebellion” Federal assessors were assigned to go house to house to count and often when they got near the houses the home owners would pour hot water on them from an upper window. Pennsylvania and Federal forces combined to put this rebellion down with the capture of its leadership. This again shows the power of the Federal government and its ability to work with the states and be successful.