In 1791, just a few years after the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, the federal government imposed an excise tax on whiskey, sparking outrage among frontier farmers. This tax was seen as unfair and oppressive, particularly by those in western Pennsylvania, where whiskey production was a major livelihood. The resistance to this tax culminated in what is now known as the Whiskey Rebellion, a significant but often overlooked chapter in American history.
The Whiskey Rebellion marked the first major test of the federal government’s authority under the new Constitution. While the rebellion was eventually quelled by federal troops, it left an indelible mark on the young nation, highlighting the tension between federal power and individual rights—a theme that continues to resonate today.
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