Whiskey Rebellion for kids - The 1791 Excise Tax
The Whiskey
Rebellion was sparked by the Excise Tax on distilled spirits that
was enacted with the Act of March 3, 1791. The idea for the 1791
Excise Tax on Whiskey was led by the Treasury Secretary Alexander
Hamilton. The increasing expenses of the government made new taxes
necessary to provide a steady source of income.
Whiskey Rebellion for kids - Reaction to Taxes
The memories of the
Patriots who had fought during the American Revolution against the
tyranny of the British were still 'raw'. There were many causes of
the War of Independence but the imposition of taxes, like the Stamp
Tax, and the hated tax collectors, had led to violent insurrection
in America. The Whiskey
Rebellion was perhaps an understandable reaction by the western
farmers whose livelihood was the most seriously affected by the
Excise tax on whiskey.
Whiskey Rebellion for kids - The Farmers
The Whiskey
Rebellion was imitated by the farmers of western Pennsylvania
and western Carolina. The farmers in these western states could not
take their grain to the seaboard (coast) because of the bad roads
and the sheer distance to the coast. The farmers therefore made
their grain into whiskey, which could be carried to the seaboard
more easily than grain, and sold at a profit. The 1791 Excise Tax on
Whiskey had a profound effect on the income of the farmers and their
families. The appearance of Tax Collectors did not help the
situation and the Whiskey Rebellion 'kicked off'. The farmers of
western Pennsylvania were particularly hostile to the situation and
the local inspectors and collection officers who had been appointed
by the government to insure that the tax was paid. Opposition was
also fierce on the frontier lands where spirits were distilled
primarily for personal consumption, not for sale. The tough,
militant frontiersmen strongly objected to the presence of tax
collectors.
Whiskey Rebellion for kids - The 1792 Presidential Proclamation
Protest grew, the Whiskey Rebellion was growing, and
the situation had turned into a real test of the authority of the
new US government. George Washington sent commissioners to
explain matters to the farmers but to no avail. The protests
continued and increased in strength. In 1792 President Washington
issued a presidential proclamation condemning activities that
"obstruct the operation of the laws of the United States for raising
a revenue upon spirits distilled within the same."
Whiskey Rebellion for kids - 1794 Violence against the Whiskey Tax
The proclamation had no
effect. Petitions against the Excise tax on whiskey increased. The Whiskey
Rebellion turned to violence in western Pennsylvania when armed men
attacked a federal marshal as he attempted to serve papers on those
who had failed to register their stills (as required by the law).
The home of the local tax collector was burned. Other tax collectors
were attacked. The Whiskey Rebellion had led to harassment and
violence.
Whiskey Rebellion is Quelled
The Whiskey
Rebellion could not be controlled. President Washington had no
alternative but to call out 15,000 militia men. The militia were
sent to western Pennsylvania, under the command of Henry Lee, the
governor of Virginia. The rebellious farmers gave in to the strength
of such a force without any fighting. Two of the leaders of the
Whiskey Rebellion were convicted of treason, but later pardoned by
the President.
The
Whiskey Rebellion for kids
The Whiskey Rebellion
ended. The new US government had shown its strength, and shown its
ability to ensured the people to obeyed the laws of the new nation
and ensure stability in the land.
Whiskey Rebellion for kids - President George Washington Video
The article on the
Whiskey Rebellion provides an overview of one of the Important issues of his presidential term in office. The following video will give you additional important facts, history and dates about the political events experienced by the 1st
American President whose presidency spanned from April 30, 1789 to March 4, 1797.
Whiskey Rebellion
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Interesting Facts about the
Whiskey Rebellion for kids and schools
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Whiskey Rebellion for kids
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Whiskey Rebellion, one of the Important
events of the era
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George Washington Presidency from April 30, 1789 to March 4, 1797
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Fast, fun,
interesting facts about the Whiskey Rebellion
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Foreign & Domestic
policies of President George Washington
● George Washington Presidency and
the Whiskey Rebellion for schools,
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