Transcript Whiskey Rebellion

Challenges to the New Government
Whiskey Rebellion
• To help pay off the war debt, Washington started to
tax whiskey.
• Rural farmers who grew the grain to make the
whiskey were angry. They used whiskey for
everything, sometimes even for money, and felt that
the tax was unfair.
• In the summer of 1794, a group of farmers in
Western Pennsylvania rebelled against the whiskey
tax and staged the Whiskey Rebellion.
Why whiskey?
• Farmers had a hard time getting their
grain to market, so they turned their
grain into whiskey, which was easier to
transport.
• They got more money for the whiskey
anyway.
• Farmers traded the whiskey for salt,
sugar, and other goods.
• Farmers used whiskey as money to
get whatever supplies they needed.
• Farmers did not have the money to
pay for the tax.
The Government Responds
• Washington and Alexander Hamilton had
huge problem. How could they fight a
rebellion over taxes when they had just done
the same thing against England? Washington
decided that enough was enough. Taxes
might not be popular, but were essential for
the U.S. Government to survive.
The Government Responds
• Federal troops led by Washington himself
marched to Western Pennsylvania and put
down the revolt.
• Washington had proved that the government
would deal with people not obeying the law.
Problems in the Ohio River Valley
• After the Revolutionary War
the British and their Indian
allies refuse to leave the
Ohio River Valley.
• President Washington
ordered American soldiers to
attack Shawnee, Ottawa,
and Chippewa Indians there.
• After some early defeats, the
Americans led by “Mad”
Anthony Wayne won the
Battle of Fallen Timbers.
Anthony Wayne leading the
“Legion of the United States”
• The defeat at Fallen Timbers forced the
tribes to sign the Treaty of Greenville.
• This treaty gave America control over the
present day states of Ohio and Indiana.
France goes into chaos!!!!
• Inspired by the American Revolution and the
terrible French economy, the French people start
their own revolution against their King, Louis XVI
The U.S. in an awkward position.
• When the French people executed King Louis
XVI, the other monarchies in Europe, including
England, declare war on the new French
Republic.
• Thomas Jefferson wanted the United States to
join the war on the French side. They were our
ally during the Revolutionary War and were
fighting like Americans had fought for liberty.
• Alexander Hamilton argued to support England
since the British were powerful and the United
States main trade partner.
Neutrality
• Washington chose for the nation to be neutral in
the war. Congress made it illegal for to help either
side, but merchants could still trade with either
country.
• This didn’t stop British Navy ships from attacking
American Merchant ships bound for England.
Jay Treaty
• Washington sent John Jay to London and he
managed to get a treaty with England known as
the “Jay Treaty”
• -England would not attack American ships and
would remove all British soldiers from the Ohio
River valley.
• The treaty and neutrality were mostly unpopular
with the people of the United States.
Washington’s Farewell Address
After 8 long years, Washington decided that two
terms was enough and he retired from the
Presidency. This set a very important precedent for
future presidents.
• Before he retired, Washington gave a farewell
address (speech). In it he:
• Warned against political parties - he thought
they caused arguments
• Urged the nation to remain neutral and not
become involved in foreign alliances and
European wars.
• Warned against a powerful military.
• Urged Americans to maintain and value a sense
of national unity.
Political Parties
• Despite Washington’s warnings, political
parties developed.
• The first two political parties were the
Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.
Both parties used the
press to attack one
another and it
became very ugly.
Political parties
haven’t changed
much!!!
Our Nation’s first two parties
The Federalists:
The Democratic-Republicans
-Wanted a strong
National Government
-Didn’t like a strong federal
government, favored States
Rights
-Believed in trade,
manufacturing and cities.
-Believed in a rural nation of
planters and farmers
-Favored England in the
their War with France
-Favored France in war
-Alexander Hamilton,
John Adams
-Thomas Jefferson, James
Madison
John Adams Becomes 2nd President
• After Washington retired, his
Vice-President, John Adams
was elected the second
president. He won the
election by 10 votes over
Jefferson.
• Since Thomas Jefferson
came in second. He became
Vice-President.
• Adams followed many of
Washington’s policies
including avoiding war with
Europe