Final answer:
The violence at General John Neville's residence, part of the Whiskey Rebellion, was caused by the enforcement of the whiskey tax, which local militia members opposed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The violence at General John Neville's residence was sparked by the enforcement of the whiskey tax by federal officials. The tax was deeply unpopular, especially among Western Pennsylvanians, and was seen as an unfair burden on the local economy. In response to the enforcement, about 500 members of the local militia confronted Neville at his home, demanding his resignation and the cessation of tax collection efforts. Despite Neville's attempt to defend his property, the situation escalated, and the attackers burned his house, escaping into the countryside. This incident was part of the broader conflict known as the Whiskey Rebellion, which highlighted the tensions between federal authorities and frontier communities.