Name__________________________ Computer #_________ Date____________
AIM:
To what
extent was the Washington administration’s response to the Whiskey
Rebellion
appropriate?
Directions: Below you will find some background on the Whiskey Rebellion, which is often
cited as a major crisis for the first president, and some possible approaches the
government may have taken to solve the crisis. As you analyze the alternative solutions,
think about the benefits to such an approach, along with the possible consequences.
The Whiskey Rebellion
Nearly twenty years after the revolutionary War began, the United States government
faced a small- scale revolution by some of its own citizens. As in the previous war, taxes
were a central issue.
In 1791, our war with Great Britain was over and the federal government of the United
States needed money for unpaid debts which had been accumulated by the individual
states before and during the Revolution. In order to create a self-supporting and
effective government, Treasury Secretary Hamilton knew he needed to find a steady
source of revenue. He proposed an excise tax on whiskey produced in the United States,
and Congress instituted the levy in 1791.
Whiskey was an important part of the social and personal life of western Pennsylvania. It
was used daily by the people. It was on the table with meals and taken between meals as
a strengthener. It was used for medicinal purposes at a time of very limited medical
knowledge. Whiskey could ward off the bitter cold of winter and the heat of summer.
The Westerners liked their own brew and would have had difficult importing it from the
east because of distance and the hazardous journey involved. Not surprisingly, the
farmers of western Pennsylvania, many of whom also distilled whiskey and profited from
its sale, proved outright hostile to the idea.
In July of 1794, a force of disaffected whiskey rebels attacked and destroyed the
home of a tax inspector. The rebellion grew in numbers, if not in actions, and threatened
to spread to other states.
Issue: How should the Washington administration respond to the Whiskey Rebellion?
Approach #1: Eliminate the excise tax on Whiskey
Since the excise tax on Whiskey has been the primary cause of discontent among
Western Pennsylvania farmers and the cause of the rebellion, eliminating the Whiskey
tax would be the most effective and efficient means of restoring peace and order.
Benefits to Approach 1
Drawbacks to Approach 1
*
*
*
*
*
*
Approach #2: Invite the leaders of the rebellion to the capital to negotiate a
settlement
Western Pennsylvania’s farmers have a legitimate grievance over the tax but, at the
same time, must realize that the government needs funding and that citizens must share
a burden of the costs. The leaders of the rebellion should be encouraged to put down
their arms and be brought to the nation’s capital to negotiate the terms of taxation.
Benefits to Approach 2
Drawbacks to Approach 2
*
*
*
*
*
*
Approach #3: Use military force to crush the rebellion
The rebellion is a clear affront to law and order, and threatens the very existence of a
young, and still fragile, government. A strong show of force, and military action, if
necessary, is the only way to ensure stability and teach citizens to respect the law.
Benefits to Approach 3
Drawbacks to Approach 3
*
*
*
*
*
*
**Washington’s actual course of action:
Summary: To what extent was Washington’s response to the Whiskey Rebellion
appropriate
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Name:
Key
Computer #_________ Date____________
AIM:
To what
extent was the Washington administration’s response to the Whiskey
Rebellion
appropriate?
Directions: Below you will find some background on the Whiskey Rebellion, which is often
cited as a major crisis for the first president, and some possible approaches the
government may have taken to solve the crisis. As you analyze the alternative solutions,
think about the benefits to such an approach, along with the possible consequences.
The Whiskey Rebellion
Nearly twenty years after the revolutionary War began, the United States government
faced a small- scale revolution by some of its own citizens. As in the previous war, taxes
were a central issue.
In 1791, our war with Great Britain was over and the federal government of the United
States needed money for unpaid debts which had been accumulated by the individual
states before and during the Revolution. In order to create a self-supporting and
effective government, Treasury Secretary Hamilton knew he needed to find a steady
source of revenue. He proposed an excise tax on whiskey produced in the United States,
and Congress instituted the levy in 1791.
Whiskey was an important part of the social and personal life of western Pennsylvania. It
was used daily by the people. It was on the table with meals and taken between meals as
a strengthener. It was used for medicinal purposes at a time of very limited medical
knowledge. Whiskey could ward off the bitter cold of winter and the heat of summer.
The Westerners liked their own brew and would have had difficult importing it from the
east because of distance and the hazardous journey involved. Not surprisingly, the
farmers of western Pennsylvania, many of whom also distilled whiskey and profited from
its sale, proved outright hostile to the idea.
In July of 1794, a force of disaffected whiskey rebels attacked and destroyed the
home of a tax inspector. The rebellion grew in numbers, if not in actions, and threatened
to spread to other states.
Issue: How should the Washington administration respond to the Whiskey Rebellion?
Approach #1: Eliminate the excise tax on Whiskey
Since the excise tax on Whiskey has been the primary cause of discontent among
Western Pennsylvania farmers and the cause of the rebellion, eliminating the Whiskey
tax would be the most effective and efficient means of restoring peace and order.
Benefits to Approach 1
Drawbacks to Approach 1
* Avoids confrontation/ends rebellion
* Makes government look weak
* Shows government is willing to listen
* No revenue from tax
and consider opinions
*
* Could encourage more rebellions
Approach #2: Invite the leaders of the rebellion to the capital to negotiate a
settlement
Western Pennsylvania’s farmers have a legitimate grievance over the tax but, at the
same time, must realize that the government needs funding and that citizens must share
a burden of the costs. The leaders of the rebellion should be encouraged to put down
their arms and be brought to the nation’s capital to negotiate the terms of taxation.
Benefits to Approach 2
* Would avoid confrontation and end
Drawbacks to Approach 2
* Makes government look weak
rebellion
* Shows government is willing to listen
* Decreased revenue from tax (more than
and consider opinions
likely)
*
* Could encourage more rebellions
Approach #3: Use military force to crush the rebellion
The rebellion is a clear affront to law and order, and threatens the very existence of a
young, and still fragile, government. A strong show of force, and military action, if
necessary, is the only way to ensure stability and teach citizens to respect the law.
Benefits to Approach 3
Drawbacks to Approach 3
* Shows government is strong and must
* If overly violent could cause more
be obeyed
rebellions
* Still collect revenue from tax
* Government seen (potentially) as
oppressive/tyrannical
* Ends rebellion
* If overly violent, it would ruin
Washington’s legacy
**Washington’s actual course of action:
Summary: To what extent was Washington’s response to the Whiskey Rebellion
appropriate
Opinion question - but need to support with facts and logical explanation
Consider: We know he selected option 3. Did he really want to follow through on it the
“whole way?” How did his actual actions support your answer?