Name:__________________________________________________________________________Period:________
Investigating the Whiskey Rebellion
Directions: Work with your group as if you were a team of investigators. Use the clues below to discover the various
events of the Whiskey Rebellion. Answer each of the questions thoroughly to discover what the rebellion was all
about!
CLUE #1:
George Washington’s letter to Alexander Hamilton, July 29, 1792
“The public debt is greater than we can possibly pay before other causes of adding new debt to it will occur . . .
this accumulation of debt has taken forever out of our power those easy sources of revenue. . .extraordinary
calls for extraordinary occasions would animate the people to meet them.”
1. Using the primary source above, what is the problem in the United States that George Washington is
referring to?
2. How do you think George Washington will solve the problem? Explain.
CLUE #2:
3. Using the above “math equation” who would have been affected by a tax on the product shown?
Explain your answer.
CLUE #3:
4. Describe what you see in the pictures above:
5. What conclusions can you draw regarding the connection between the pictures and your answers to
questions 1-3?
CLUE #4:
Alexander Hamilton, Tully, No. 3, August 28, 1794
The instrument by which it [government] must act are either the authority of the laws or
force. If the first be destroyed (laws), the last must be substituted (force); and where this
becomes the ordinary instrument of government there is an end to liberty!
6. According to the primary source above, how does Alexander Hamilton want to put an end to the
rebellion? Use text evidence to support your answer.
CLUE #5:
Attempt #1
Attempt #2
7. Based on the pictures above, how does George Washington solve the problem? Is it similar or different
to what Alexander Hamilton suggested? Please explain.
SUMMARY: After your investigation, write a 20 Word Gist which summarizes the Whiskey Rebellion.
**HINT: Must be in sentence/phrase form**
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