Final answer:
The Whiskey Rebellion was a protest against the tax on whiskey production imposed by the federal government. Putting down the rebellion made the US government more powerful by establishing a stronger central authority. This historical event relates to today in terms of tax-related protests and the ongoing tension between state and federal power.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Whiskey Rebellion was a protest against the tax on whiskey production imposed by the federal government in 1791. Farmers in western Pennsylvania, who depended on the sale of whiskey, saw the tax as unfair and viewed it as favoring the commercial classes on the eastern seaboard. This led to rebellion and violent acts against federal officials.
Putting down the rebellion helped make the US government more powerful by establishing a stronger central authority. President Washington responded by creating a thirteen-thousand-man militia to put down the rebellion, which made it clear that the national government would take strong action to ensure the survival of the United States.
This historical event does relate to today, particularly in terms of tax-related protests. Like the whiskey rebels, modern protesters may express discontent with taxes they see as unfair or burdensome to certain groups. This event also highlights the ongoing tension between state and federal power, which is still a relevant issue in modern politics.