Final answer:
The Whiskey Rebellion ended when President George Washington sent over 13,000 troops to quell the uprising, asserting the national government’s authority.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Whiskey Rebellion of 1794
The Whiskey Rebellion ended when President George Washington sent over 13,000 troops to put down the revolt, known as the militia force, to ensure the survival of the United States and assert the power of the national government. The federal excise tax on distilled spirits meant to cover the costs of the new nation’s financial program, caused unrest among farmers who relied on whiskey as a form of currency and protested the tax as unfair.
This protest grew into a widespread rebellion in western Pennsylvania. The federal government’s response, which demonstrated the national government’s commitment to upholding its laws and authority, played a crucial role in quelling the insurrection. Rather than reaching a compromise that included executions or lowering the tax, President Washington’s decision to deploy the militia showcased the power of the young nation to enforce its laws, ultimately leading to the rebellion’s end without mass bloodshed.