Final answer:
In July 1794, the enforcement of the federal whiskey tax led to the Whiskey Rebellion, where local militia attacked the home of tax inspector General John Neville. The incident escalated into a larger protest with thousands gathering and smaller violent uprisings, which sparked discussions of secession. The federal government's response included both compromise and the demonstration of its power by raising a militia force to suppress the rebellion.
Step-by-step explanation:
In July of 1794, during what is known as the Whiskey Rebellion, tension escalated between western Pennsylvania farmers and the federal government over a whiskey tax. Federal officials attempted to enforce the whiskey tax, leading to a violent confrontation. Approximately 500 local militiamen besieged the home of General John Neville, the excise inspector, demanding he resign and halt tax collection. Despite his efforts to defend, his house was set ablaze and the attackers fled. Weeks later, the unrest continued as 6,000 militiamen gathered near Pittsburgh, though they dispersed without further incident. Nonetheless, smaller meetings throughout western Pennsylvania saw mock guillotines erected, and talks of secession and potential civil war emerged.
For many western Pennsylvania farmers, whiskey production from grain was economically vital due to transportation difficulties. The whiskey tax, viewed as favoring eastern interests, sparked widespread protests, sometimes violent, echoing pre-Revolutionary discontent with centralized taxation. Some protesters sought independence, even liaising with foreign powers. The federal response was to lower the tax but also to mobilize a large militia force, underscoring national government resolve to maintain order and unity. Ultimately, the rebellion was quelled without mass executions, but the strong federal stance, including the military deployment, showcased the enforcement capabilities of the young republic.