The American Revolution is one of the most significant events in history. Faced with a large national debt as a result of the war, the newly founded republic, led by George Washington, instituted tariffs on domestic goods. The Whiskey Tax, proved to be the most controversial of them all. This tax targeted those whose lives revolved around whiskey as a method of trade. By unequally taxing the citizens, the Whiskey Tax sparked a rebellion led by the farmers of Western Pennsylvania. By stripping its citizens of their rights, the American republic modeled the very government that they once rebelled against. The government’s response in the Whiskey Rebellion was a departure from the spirit of the American Revolution. Desperate to solidify the
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For centuries, government leaders have questioned- What is more important? The rights of an individual, or the security of the whole society? In terms of the Whiskey Rebellion, while the government’s reaction strayed from the ideals of the Revolution, their actions had justifiable means. In any type of government, there will be people who share different opinions than the majority. The only way for the government to please both the minority as well as the majority, is to force every man and women to share “the same opinions, the same passions, and the same interests.” James Madison, a Federalist, knew that this was an impractical of thinking, “As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it, different opinions will be formed.” America is an extremely diverse country, and because of that, the government will never be able to please every faction of people. George Washington had to balance between the happiness of the minority and the keeping of the Constitution. “feeling the deepest regret for the occasion, but withal the most solemn conviction that the essential interests of the Union demand it.” Washington understood that by not controlling the uprisings, the government would legitimize revolts, and in turn ilegitimize the Constitution. If one faction does not benefit from a law, then another does, and vise-versa. In a large republic, officials must favor the majority, as the whole is more important than the one. In the case of the Whiskey Rebellion, the financial security of the nation outweighed the interests of a small group of
For centuries, government leaders have questioned- What is more important? The rights of an individual, or the security of the whole society? In terms of the Whiskey Rebellion, while the government’s reaction strayed from the ideals of the Revolution, their actions had justifiable means. In any type of government, there will be people who share different opinions than the majority. The only way for the government to please both the minority as well as the majority, is to force every man and women to share “the same opinions, the same passions, and the same interests.” James Madison, a Federalist, knew that this was an impractical of thinking, “As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it, different opinions will be formed.” America is an extremely diverse country, and because of that, the government will never be able to please every faction of people. George Washington had to balance between the happiness of the minority and the keeping of the Constitution. “feeling the deepest regret for the occasion, but withal the most solemn conviction that the essential interests of the Union demand it.” Washington understood that by not controlling the uprisings, the government would legitimize revolts, and in turn ilegitimize the Constitution. If one faction does not benefit from a law, then another does, and vise-versa. In a large republic, officials must favor the majority, as the whole is more important than the one. In the case of the Whiskey Rebellion, the financial security of the nation outweighed the interests of a small group of