Question

Who had to pay the excise tax?

A. Small farmers on the frontier, who made whiskey
B. Large farmers who made whiskey
C. All who drank whiskey
D. Both A and B

Answer 1

The excise tax on whiskey had to be paid by small frontier farmers who made whiskey and were burdened by this tax, leading to the Whiskey Rebellion.

Step-by-step explanation:

The excise tax on whiskey, part of Hamilton's financial program, was particularly burdensome for small frontier farmers who distilled their grain into whiskey. The tax was enforced as part of the efforts to defray the costs of putting the nation on solid financial footing. However, due to the harsh burden it placed on these farmers, many resorted to violence, leading to the Whiskey Rebellion. The Whiskey Rebellion underscored the tension between the new federal government and frontier communities, who felt targeted by the tax which affected their economic livelihood. In response to these events, the federal government eventually sent militia forces to suppress the rebellion and enforce the law.