Decision Point: Whiskey Rebellion

1
Decision Point Whiskey Rebellion

• Actions and Events of the Whiskey Rebellion

2
History of Discontent

• PA whiskey farmers long history of discontent
  with federal government
• Westsylvania
• Hamilton - well bred and rich

3
Northwest Ordinance

• All territory is free and could apply for
  statehood
• Western PA would not qualify.

4
Native American Conflict

• Indians attack western PA farmers.
• U.S. military led two raids against the Indians,
  both unsuccessful.

5
Burden of a Tax

• Whiskey tax imposed to pay for expenses of two
  unsuccessful raids into Indian territory
• Outraged western PA farmers.

6
New Tax on Whiskey

• To cure the national debt (52 million), Hamilton
  imposes a 25 tax on whiskey.
• Outraged western PA farmers, yet again.

7
French Revolution America

• French Revolution fight for individual liberty
  vs. a tyrannical monarch.
• Western PA farmers felt same abuse as French
  commoners.

8
Early Support

• America started out supporting the French
  Revolution.
• Reign of Terror changed American sentiment.
• Citizen Genet incident

9
Federalist vs. Republican

• Constitution?
• Whiskey Rebellion?
• French Revolution?