Lasting Effects
George Washington
The lasting effects of the Whiskey Rebellion were enormous. The suppression of the rebellion had gathered widespread approval, a success in the minds of Washington and other members of the U.S congress. Most importantly, The government's act on the rebellion showed the willingness and power of the new federal government to suppress violence and resistance to laws of the United States. Even after the rebellion, however, many farmers still refused to pay the tax on Whiskey, a fact that the federal government did not want to admit. Nevertheless, the suppression of the rebellion was a huge symbol of the power of the federal government.
The protest raised the question of what types of protests were permissible by the federal government. The federal government favored freedom of speech, and did not want to suppress the ideas of its people, however they had to decide where the line was between a protest and a rebellion. The government believed that because the United States government had been ratified by its sovereign people, they had not right to protest it by extra-constitutional means. The rebels thought differently.
The rebellion persuaded many western farmers to participate and vote to determine the laws and representatives for their government, instead of just protesting it. No similar rebellion in which the government has challenged the right of assembly and the right to petition has occurred since.
The tax was not repealed until the power in the federal government shifted to Thomas Jefferson's party in 1800.
The protest raised the question of what types of protests were permissible by the federal government. The federal government favored freedom of speech, and did not want to suppress the ideas of its people, however they had to decide where the line was between a protest and a rebellion. The government believed that because the United States government had been ratified by its sovereign people, they had not right to protest it by extra-constitutional means. The rebels thought differently.
The rebellion persuaded many western farmers to participate and vote to determine the laws and representatives for their government, instead of just protesting it. No similar rebellion in which the government has challenged the right of assembly and the right to petition has occurred since.
The tax was not repealed until the power in the federal government shifted to Thomas Jefferson's party in 1800.