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Analyze The Causes And Consequences Of The Whiskey Rebellion

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The Whiskey Rebellion occurred due to the tax imposed upon whiskey, the growing need to pay off war debts, and the urge to levy government power. The Whiskey Rebellion of 1791 occurred mainly throughout West Pennsylvania. The wealthy believed the tax was good for the society, while the laborers believed the government was being too harsh. Farmers rebelled against the tax that Alexander Hamilton, Secretary of State, placed upon whiskey. Tax was placed upon whiskey in order to show the government's power and to also help pay off the debts caused by the Revolutionary War. Another reason why tax was imposed on whiskey was because Alexander Hamilton wanted to levy the government's power over the states. In 1794, farmers in Pennsylvania rebelled …show more content…

Shays’ Rebellion occurred mainly throughout western Massachusetts. Daniel Shays, a former leader of the Continental Army, lead the rebellion throughout Massachusetts. The taxes, imposed by the government, caused many farmers to go into debt. Farmers became angry about this because government officials arrested those who were unable to pay off debts. Farmers, fighting against high taxes, followed the lead of Daniel Shays in an attempt to infiltrate the Springfield Armory. Massachusetts was later forced to adopt pro-debtor laws and regulations. Pro-debtor laws bypassed debt and printed more money. The movements started by Massachusetts citizens inspired a reform that benefited the lower-class. The rebellion led to the demise of the Articles of Confederation, as well. The Articles of Confederation established the first government to unify the thirteen colonies. The Articles of Confederation were written to give states sovereignty and independence and to keep the central government as weak as possible. The Articles of Confederation weakened as time went on. Each state only had one vote in Congress, regardless of size. Congress did not have the power to tax or regulate foreign commerce. Along with the other downfalls of the Articles of Confederation, Congress lacked an Executive Branch. When Shays Rebellion occurred the government was unable to put

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Before Shay's Rebellion the government was weak and unorganized and taxes and wages were unfair to the citizens. Farmers at the time were angry at the fact that they were loosing land just because of high taxes and the shortage of currency that was caused by the weak economic system. Shay's Rebellion consisted of the outraged farmers attacking courthouses because of all the unfairness that was being sent towards them. They gave more money for taxes and received low currency. The farmers as well rebelled against the "government" so they wouldn't foreclose their land.

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Why Did Daniel Shays Rebellion Lead A Rebellion?

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Daniel Shays led a rebellion after the U.S. went into economic depression. This caused the Massachusetts government to seize several farms and sell them to re-gain profits. Shays led a mob of 1,000 enraged Massachusetts farmers to get weaponry from a state warehouse in August 1786. The rebellion was a fail because Shays and other fellow comrades were arrested. All in all, Daniel Shays led a rebellion because many farmers plots of land were taken and sold for profit.

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It was important for George Washington to put down the Whiskey Rebellion and enforce tax on whiskey because the rebellion was a threat to the new republic. After Washington put down the rebellion, the new government established their position and power, hopefully discouraging future law breaking of this kind. While the US was formed on rebelling against laws that were deemed unjust, the country would not have survived if citizens felt free to rebel or break every law they did not like. Further, the whiskey tax was a way for the US to gain money to help pay debts from the Revolution, which were important to repay in order to secure the country’s economic survival long term. The greatest factor that convinced colonists to pay their taxes was

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This is because Shays rebellion took place because the poor farmers were fighting against the outrageous taxes which were leaving them without land and in prison with no means of supplying food for their families. In many states at the time if someone didn't have land they weren't able to vote because in the governments eyes they had no power. These taxes were taking away the farmers land which then also took away their right to vote which left them powerless and made their options pointless. Poor farmers ended up in jail which left their families out on the streets begging for money and a means to survive. Just like the whiskey rebellion farmers were left without a way to supply for their family because the demand of whiskey was way down after the government increase the tax by 25%.

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