Question

Why did the Federalists support the Whiskey Rebellion?

A) They believed in the importance of federal authority and law enforcement.
B) They opposed taxation on whiskey production.
C) They were sympathetic to the concerns of the whiskey producers.
D) They wanted to challenge the authority of the federal government.

Answer 1

The Federalists supported the Whiskey Rebellion because they believed in the importance of maintaining federal authority and enforcing the law. This stance stemmed from their view that the stability and unity of the United States were at stake, contrasting the Democratic-Republican Party's views on personal freedoms and opposition to the federal excise tax.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer to why the Federalists supported the Whiskey Rebellion is A) They believed in the importance of federal authority and law enforcement. The Whiskey Rebellion of 1794 was a significant event in American history where farmers in western Pennsylvania rebelled against a federal excise tax on distilled spirits. The tax was part of Secretary of Treasury Alexander Hamilton's financial program to put the nation on solid financial footing, which the Federalist-dominated Congress approved.

The Federalists, including President George Washington, saw the rebellion not just as a resistance to taxation but as a challenge to the newly established federal authority. In their view, the Whiskey Rebellion threatened the order and stability of the United States. Consequently, they responded by sending a sizeable militia force to western Pennsylvania to quell the uprising, demonstrating the federal government's capacity to enforce laws and maintain unity. This action signaled to European powers and domestic onlookers alike that the federal government could ensure the survival of the republic while protecting liberty and property.

In contrast, the Democratic-Republican Party, which sympathized with personal freedoms, aligned with the whiskey rebels, viewing the tax as an overreach by the Federalists and a threat to republican liberty. The Republicans criticized the Federalist response as indicative of a desire to establish a standing army and curtail democratic principles. Despite these opposing views, the eventual suppression of the Whiskey Rebellion firmly showcased the Federalists' commitment to upholding federal laws and preserving national unity.