Which tax was introduced as the first national tax under Hamilton's plan?

The first national tax introduced under Alexander Hamilton's financial plan was the excise tax on distilled spirits. Hamilton sought to stabilize the new nation's economy and generate revenue to pay off war debts. By taxing domestically produced alcohol, specifically whiskey, he aimed to gather funds for the federal government while also promoting a sense of federal authority over state-run economies.

This tax was particularly significant because it sparked considerable controversy and local unrest, leading to the Whiskey Rebellion in 1794, which highlighted the tensions between federal and local governance. The excise tax was part of Hamilton's broader strategy, which included tariffs and funding for government initiatives, but the tax on distilled spirits was the first specific tax implemented in this effort to enhance federal financial stability.