After learning about the Revolutionary War and the events afterwards, it is important to answer the essential question. Is rebellion ever necessary or acceptable? How should the government respond to rebellion? The two best examples to look at are Shays’ Rebellion and the Whiskey Rebellion. What was different and what was similar? Were the rioters justified?
The first incident was in 1786, “Shays’ Rebellion”. Farmers were growing angry because they were being asked to repay the debt from the war through taxes. However, the farmers were being taxed for so much that most of them had to sell everything they owned They were upset because they believed they should be rewarded for fighting for the government to exist. They grew so angry that Daniel Shays collected a fair group of farmers to fight and rebel against the government. At the time, the citizens were under the Articles of Confederation rather than the Constitution. The government only raised a small army against him, as they were not allowed to use the military.
In 1794, there was a 25% sales tax put on liquor by George Washington. Of course there were citizens upset with this, so a large group of people banded together, tarring and feathering revenue officers. At this time the U.S. citizens were under the Constitution, so Washington raised about 13,000 men to subdue the rioters.
The essential question was “is rebellion ever acceptable, and how should the government react?” My conclusion is rebellion depends on the situation. If it is a serious issue that needs to be changed, then rioting may be acceptable to be able to give a strong message to the government. However, the government should be able to respond with just as much force as the rioters to be able to subdue them and prevent further damage. The government will be able to learn and understand that their citizens feel very strongly about what they need and want and will make a change.
