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The federal response to the rebellion demonstrated that the new federal government would use force if necessary to collect taxes and uphold its authority.

It established the right of the government to levy this type of tax. It also showed the need for a national guard to maintain order and established its right of federal government to create such a force.

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Rylan Ratke

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2y ago

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The federal response to the rebellion demonstrated that the new federal government would use force if necessary to collect taxes and uphold its authority.

It established the right of the government to levy this type of tax. It also showed the need for a national guard to maintain order and established its right of federal government to create such a force.

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Wiki User

12y ago
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The new federal government, at the urging of the first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, assumed the states' debt from the American Revolutionary War. In 1791 Hamilton convinced Congress to approve taxes on distilled spirits and carriages. Hamilton's reasons for the tax were several: he wanted to pay down the national debt, but justified the tax "more as a measure of social discipline than as a source of revenue."[1] But most importantly, Hamilton "wanted the tax imposed to advance and secure the power of the new federal government."[2]

This marked the first time under the new United States Constitution that the federal government used military force to exert authority over the nation's citizens. It was also one of only two times that a sitting President personally commanded the military in the field. (The other was after President James Madison fled the British occupation of Washington, D.C. during the War of 1812.)

The military suppression of the Whiskey Rebellion set a precedent that American citizens who wished to change the law had to do so peacefully through constitutional means; otherwise, the government would meet any threats to disturb the peace with force>

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15y ago
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It demonstrated the need for a standing militia (later the national guard) and showed the resolve of the new federal government to enforce its laws.

History

The Whiskey Rebellion 1794 was an uprising in the Pennsylvania counties West of the Alleghenies, caused by Alexander Hamilton 's excise tax of 1791. The settlers, mainly Scotch-Irish, for whom whiskey was an important economic commodity, resented the tax as discriminatory and detrimental to their liberty and economic welfare. There were many public protests, and rioting broke out in 1794 against the central government's efforts to enforce the law. Troops called out by President Washington quelled the rioting, and resistance evaporated. Nevertheless Hamilton sought to make an example of the settlers and illustrate the newly created government's power to enforce its law; many were arrested. President Washington pardoned the two rebels who were convicted of treason. The tax was repealed in 1802.

Significance to the US and its Citizens

The new federal government, at the urging of the first Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton, assumed the states' debt from the American Revolutionary War. In 1791 Hamilton convinced Congress to approve taxes on distilled spirits and carriages. Hamilton's reasons for the tax were several: he wanted to pay down the national debt, but justified the tax "more as a measure of social discipline than as a source of revenue." But most importantly, Hamilton "wanted the tax imposed to advance and secure the power of the new federal government."

This marked the first time under the new United States Constitution that the federal government used military force to exert authority over the nation's citizens. It was also one of only two times that a sitting President personally commanded the military in the field. (The other was after President James Madison fled the British occupation of Washington, D.C. during the War of 1812.)

The military suppression of the Whiskey Rebellion set a precedent that U.S. citizens who wished to change the law had to do so peacefully through constitutional means; otherwise, the government would meet any disturbances of the peace with force.

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14y ago
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The Whiskey Rebellion showed the strength of the new Constitution, and showed the government's willingness to crush violent rebellions. It proved the Constitution to be much more effective than the Articles of Confederation.

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Wiki User

9y ago
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this was the first time that the own United States military used its forces on its own people. Therefore is known as a strong military

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Wiki User

13y ago
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First time the US government used military force against its own citizens. In addition, it is the only time a sitting president (G Washington) has personally led troops into battle.

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Wiki User

15y ago
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The farmers were under attack by the whiskey taxation and they started the rebellion

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Wiki User

15y ago
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Q: What was the significance of the Whiskey Rebellion?
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