whiskey rebellion

The Whiskey Rebellion (1791–1794) was a protest by farmers and frontier settlers in western Pennsylvania against a federal excise tax on distilled spirits. They viewed the tax as unfair and burdensome, especially since many relied on whiskey as a source of income and barter. The rebellion escalated to violence, prompting the federal government, under President George Washington, to assert authority by sending troops to suppress it. The event demonstrated the U.S. government's ability to enforce laws and signaled the importance of federal authority in maintaining order.