The Whiskey Rebellion

Whiskey Knowledge

Whiskey has had a long and turbulent history between governments and distillers.

Nearly every country has tried to enact some sort of tax on distillers and whiskey production, and each of those countries had distillers fight back with passion and fury.

America is no different.

When the British cut-off the supply of rum to the Continental Army, George Washington encouraged whiskey distillers to set up across the western frontier to help produce much-needed spirits.

Whiskey was used as a pain killer, ration, antiseptic, and much more.

However, when the war ended the new American government was left with a massive amount of debt.

Washington's constituents turned towards whiskey distillers as a ready source of tax revenue to help pay off the wartime debt, and distillers were not too thrilled at just having fought an oppressive government and now having their new government turn around and tax them immediately after asking them for help.

Years of Conflict

The tax was initially ignored by distillers who simply refused to pay.

When the government began sending people to forcefully collect taxes and dismantle illicit stills, it led to some rather intense exchanges.

Distillers would chase off taxmen in mobs, and, in a few cases, tar and feather them or tie them to trees and leave them.

One particularly intense standoff saw a taxman fire warning shots on a farm.

A mob collected outside the home of an official who had been accompanying the taxman.

The farmer, who was leading the mob, was shot by someone in the home as he approached, leading to a retreat.

The next day a few troops were sent to reinforce the official and, after a tense standoff with the mob that had not more than tripled in size, the official's home was overrun.

Another saw a large mob of people outside Pittsburg who planned to burn the city to the ground.

The city government exiled three officials with who the mob had grievances and gave the mob booze and food to ease tensions.

Washington led federal troops against the Whiskey Rebels.

This was the first and last time that a sitting US president led soldiers into battle.

The Conclusion

Though the Whiskey Rebels had a massive wave of support and a sizable following, they didn't stand much of a chance against the organized and well-supplied federal armies.

Washington made a show of force by stationing federal soldiers nearby while sending dignitaries to the heart of the rebel stronghold and gave them an ultimatum.

He essentially said " surrender and I'll give you all a break. Or don't and I'll have to call in the big guns. "

This left little choice other than surrender. While pockets of resistance still held out, most gave-in to the demands.

Most were pardoned or served minimal sentences.