The
Whiskey Rebellion
1794
What was it?
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A new tax was passed on farmers who sold their grain in the
form of whiskey.
The farmers resented this tax and rebelled against the tax
collectors, harassing them.
George Washington sent in a militia made up of over 10,000
soldiers to stop the rebels.
Most of the rebels had left the countryside by the time the militia
arrived.
The Whiskey Tax was eventually repealed in 1801.
When?
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The Whiskey Rebellion occurred in 1794.
This was during George Washington’s
presidency.
Some say that the rebellion came to a
climax in July 1794 when 500 armed men
attacked the tax inspector, John Neville.
George Washington managed to calm
things down, but the whiskey tax wasn’t
repealed until 1801.
Who?
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The Whiskey Rebellion was generally
between the farmers and the tax collectors.
The Whiskey Tax was Alexander Hamilton’s
idea.
George Washington sent in troops to calm
things down.
General John Neville was one of the many
tax collectors who was attacked by the rebel
farmers.
George Washington
Alexander Hamilton
Where?
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The Whiskey Rebellion mainly occurred in
Western PA.
On the “western frontier”, violence was more
commonly used.
A militia from various states including
Virginia, North Carolina, and Maryland came
to Western PA to help put down the rebellion.
Why?
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Creating a tax on whiskey was Alexander
Hamilton’s idea to pay off the nation’s debt.
The farmers rebelled mainly because they
said they couldn’t afford to pay the new tax.
The Whiskey Rebellion was an important
part of American history because it was one
of the first tests of power of the new federal
government.