American History

In 1794, the Whiskey Rebellion broke out in western Pennsylvania, when hundreds of farmers refused to follow a federal excise tax on whiskey. George Washington viewed the rebellion as a threat to the stability of the government and decided to take action. He directed 13,000 troops to the area and called for negotiations rather than battle in order to defuse the situation. In Jefferson's view, Washington's action was a wise and effective means of making sure the rebellious parties complied with the federal authority, but keeping bloodshed to a minimum. This approach was seen as demonstrating the importance of peaceful resolution to misguided aggression, a view that Jefferson strongly supported.