How did the government respond to the Whiskey Rebellion?

The government's response to the Whiskey Rebellion involved sending a large military force to quell the uprising. This rebellion, which occurred in 1794, arose in response to a federal excise tax on whiskey that many backcountry farmers, particularly in western Pennsylvania, viewed as unfair and burdensome.

President George Washington saw the rebellion as a significant challenge to federal authority and the rule of law. Instead of negotiating or ignoring the situation, he recognized the necessity of demonstrating the government's capability and willingness to enforce its laws. The mobilization of an army of about 13,000 troops was a clear indication of the government's resolve, illustrating its commitment to maintaining order and establishing the power of the federal government over the states and individual citizens. This decisive action helped to disperse the rebellion without significant violence and affirmed the authority of the new federal government. The outcome was essential in establishing the precedent that the federal government would not tolerate violent resistance to its laws.