The Whiskey Rebellion: America's First Great Crisis

The Whiskey Rebellion was a tax uprising against George Washington's government that marked the young USA's first major crisis, and nearly triggered a new revolution.
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[@mhmt1453]

Being from Pittsburgh, I can say that many streets and avenues were named for these people. Most are in neighborhoods that did not exist at the time, but there is a Neville Avenue, a Bower Hill Road (which actually leads to the township of Washington, Pennsylvania); there’s even a Hamilton Avenue. The Whiskey Rebellion is part of our legacy.

[@noahstoker3186]

Makes me want to buy a portrait of Hamilton so I can hang it upside down. I live by Neville Island so I agree, this makes a lot of the street names and such make sense

[@everythingforeveryone7654]

Still pissed about this. The government killed one of my ancestors. A revolutionary vet at that.

[@ronfroehlich4697]

@@noahstoker3186 I work as a floor guard at the Neville Roller Drome

[@ronfroehlich4697]

@@noahstoker3186 also, Alexander Hamilton was a world class douchebag

[@martinphilip8998]

My mother was born in Pittsburgh and her family came from Northern Virginia. My mother’s grandfather was a Confederate and one of Mosby’s Partisan Rangers. After the war, Mosby used his influence with President Grant to get my great grandfather a job. He collected revenue tax from distilleries in the South. His reputation in the South made him perfect for the dangerous job. Mosby himself ended up in the US Customs Office in Hong Kong. He ruthlessly put an end to the rampant corruption there. My mother had a teacher who saw the last of the pioneers driving their teams down yonder in the Shenandoah Valley. That;s old.

[@casmatt99]

That quote by Washington about pardoning the two traitors is incredibly poignant. Today we have Americans of every background who feel that the reach of government is an abuse of their right to liberty and self-determination. Washington was willing to forgive those who took up arms against him because he recognized the legitimacy of their grievances. Today, many politicians refuse to acknowledge the effects that their decisions have on the people. They lack the will to exercise moderation and forgiveness.

[@footnotedrummer]

This is because politicians today are power hungry. Washington never wanted to be "king". He was a military man, who understood hardship in hostile territory. These "rebels" were expanding the United States at great risk to their safety. Hamilton wouldn't have forgiven them. In fact... I'm unsure that Adams would have either.

[@calexander7495]

Washington was a man of principle. Most modern politicians merely exploit the principles of their electorate to get power and so they can rake in "donations" from their donars.

[@nathannewman3968]

Did you participate in the January 6th insurrection?

[@calexander7495]

@@nathannewman3968 Oh shiet, here we go again.

[@casmatt99]

@@nathannewman3968 lol no, I think you might be misinterpreting my meaning It seems that Washington recognized that those who rebelled against unfair taxation were justified, and he acknowledged it by pardoning these two men. As president he was responsible for enforcing federal law, but he knew that Hamilton's plot created preventable conflict, and that those who participated in it were essentially forced to for their own survival. The modern GOP is comprised of partisans who refuse to acknowledge that their decisions undermine our institutions. Their leaders are willing to subvert the rule of law to advance their own agenda, one which benefits a minuscule number of super wealthy interests. I have little doubt that Washington would lose no sleep to see them all hanged as traitors.

[@jobanh7ify]

The Whiskey Rebellion wasn’t even a page on my history book back when I was on high school, it was just a paragraph… thanks for the history lesson Simon🙌

[@huwhitecavebeast1972]

That's because the public school system doesn't want you to know history.

[@ms.donaldson2533]

Neither was the Jesuit Coup of 1787, the Anti-Catholic Riots, Anti-Masonic Riots, Bank Riots, Know-Nothing Riots or the 1861 Pratt Street Riot, but that last was replayed in 2015 as the first ever game with no fans in Camden Station, now Camden Yards. The "Uprising" was hosted at Penn / North where Etting Cemetery is located and Project Veritas is running the story about Connecticut banning Catholics from hiring. History didn't teach that a Kennedy from Baltimore legislated for Religious Freedom (1826) or that the Jesuit Mission to Maryland set sail on Friday, November 22 - but, the first Roman Catholic since they created the "dream" is serving now, so I hope people wake to the nightmare soon.

[@Liethen]

It got one short paragraph in mine. The name and lack of info stuck out to me. Had to search the local library to actually know anything about it. Internet wasn't as big a thing back then.

[@MalrickEQ2]

It had no mention in mine :(

[@alan_clough]

Wow you have incredible memory!

[@charlesgantz5865]

To make this perfectly accurate, there were two sitting Presidents that lead men into battle. George Washington as you talked about, but also James Madison at the Battle of Bladensburg. He didn't do very well, and mostly just contradicted the orders of the experienced General who was supposed to be in charge, but he did lead, and he was shot at.

[@grilledleeks6514]

George didn't do very well either.

[@benrent6625]

@@grilledleeks6514 how did he not??

[@joshuasill1141]

The sons of a former sitting president also went to war. Teddy Roosevelt Jr., was severely injured in WWI and his lungs were seared in a gas attack. Later, he won the Medal of Honor storming up and down Utah Beach with a cane in hand and wheezing hard during the Normandy landings, while his son Capt. Quentin Roosevelt III landed on Omaha Beach in WWII. Teddy Jr., was the only flag officer to land during the 1st wave. Lt. Quentin Roosevelt I was killed in the skies over France as a pilot during WWI and still remains the only child of a US President to be killed in action.

[@charlesgantz5865]

@@joshuasill1141 Also, Robert Todd Lincoln served shortly at the end of the Civil War. He didn't see combat, but he was at Appomattox. And George Washington's stepson, John (Jacky) Parke Custis, was in the Continental Army, where he died of Typhus.

[@grayadam]

To make this perfectly accurate, there was ONE sitting president that lead men into battle, President Washington. A sitting president is a president in the present, not the future or the past. It is impossible to have 2 sitting presidents at the same time. During the Whiskey Rebellion, James Madison was not a sitting president.

[@lyleslaton3086]

Remember the Whiskey Rebellion for what it was, the birth of Bourbon in Kentucky. At that time Kentucky was the frontier. No tax collectors out here and so several large producers moved to central Kentucky,where they remain to this day.

[@wtfpwnz0red]

so fitting to hear that Pittsburgh and Philly hated each other 250 years ago

[@davidtuttle7556]

I’d say Shays Rebellion was a much bigger crisis. It triggered the abandonment of Articles of Confederation and the adoption of the Constitution.

[@Matthew-kg8nl]

Only because the rebellion never saw fit/never had opportunity to march East. If you know the sort of folks who for generations have lived in the Mon/Allegheny/Ohio River Valleys or in the Allegheny Mountains to the East, you know that burning Pittsburgh was no idle threat… nor would have been burning Philadelphia. It actually explains a great deal about PA then and now-it’s culturally two states that forgot to separate when it was convenient.

[@jackdenihan5333]

We fought a war over a 2% tax and now everything is tax to a ridiculous degree sometimes shits tax just to make it more expensive like in California with cigarettes and gas

[@Chrisinsocal]

And yet California has by far the largest and strongest economy of the 50 states

[@Noah_E]

@Chrisinsocal Hollywood, Silicon Valley, agriculture (at the expense of its neighbors) and its size disproportionately inflate CA's economy. People have been fleeing the high taxes, crime, and high cost of living for years.

[@TheWizardGamez]

@@Chrisinsocaldid they get their economy by having the highest taxes in the nation? They’re lucky that Silicon Valley doesn’t care about input costs like electricity and rent.

[@sbcistheboss]

This really shows it wasn’t about British tyranny for the average person, independence was about power for rich.

[@GardenerEarthGuy]

Exactly! The myth of Founding Fathers and Washington as President are lies rewriting history to favor taxation and slavery, something people just fought against. Washington was a scumbag.

[@foxxy-3748]

I agree with this wholeheartedly. The poor man was fighting so they could have slightly better rich property owners in charge that might throw them a bone (sometimes they did). As the revolution moved forward and the Patriots started winning, more and more people joined hoping to get money, fame, and power from the new government once the war was over. The majority of these people were given useless money and little to no positions in the government. Rich man's war, poor man's battle.

[@ignitionfrn2223]

1:20 - Chapter 1 - Hard lives , hard times 5:40 - Chapter 2 - The broken tax 9:45 - Chapter 3 - Burning injustice 14:10 - Chapter 4 - The keystone collapse 18:35 - Chapter 5 - The government strikes back 22:40 - Chapter 6 - A drop of mercy

[@AndrewVelonis]

Okay, so why does it take a minute and 29 seconds before we even get to the start of Chapter One?

[@ThePhatFilosopher]

@@AndrewVelonisAds😂

[@nicholascorbett1256]

Its truly a pleasure being able to FREELY watch these amazing videos. You've managed to assembled some truly brilliant individuals around yourself Mr.Whistler. The level of dedication your team has at consistently telling the most amazing stories is something to be proud of!

[@LEEEEMO]

At about 7:00, Simon gets to the heart of the issue. The tax was structured in such fashion that the small distiller would be put out of business. It really did express a serious animus against frontiersmen so that they would lost their independence and be brought under the authority of their betters. Check into the matter in greater detail and you'll find both Hamilton and Washington didn't think much of frontiersmen. It's also worth noting that resistance to the Whiskey Excise wasn't restricted to southwest PA. There was refusal to pay from north GA into MD. KY resistance also became violent, just not to the extent of the violence in Bedford.

[@economiccrisis9267]

Hamilton and Washington were elitists so that's not shocking

[@tatedavis2016]

How he dealt with the event just shows how great of a leader Washington was. Great video as always. Would love to see Shays’ Rebellion as well.

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

Definitely!

[@johnh.tuomala4379]

Shays' Rebellion was a flash in the pan compared to the Whiskey Rebellion.

[@jackreeder215]

It just proves he was as tyrannical as king george and a hypocrite. That was the day America died

[@brianwood1041]

Lolol a joke ,right ??? You know nothing about him . Only what you’ve been told

[@mrmped1]

I disagree, all he had to do was repeal the tax and figured out a better way. But keep in mind that they created the tax to pay off debt, and when all was said and done, they refused to pay off most of the debt from the war, claiming that they were sovereign. Keep in mind that the revolutionary war was fought to get rid of the kings sovereignty......

[@OfficialTexan]

If y’all haven’t looked up the flag for the whisky rebellion before- you really should, because it ABSOLUTELY slaps

[@danielboggan2479]

You speak the truth. That thing is awesome

[@johnh.tuomala4379]

It's available from Patriotic Flags.

[@theMOCmaster]

The one on the greensburg mural is the real one

[@johnnyjohnson1326]

It's a great looking flag for sure

[@xxpervysagexx]

Thanks for that interesting tidbit.

[@andywomack3414]

Every new thing I learn about George Washington raises my esteem for him. OK, maybe I have been exposed already to this information about the Whiskey Rebellion, but like so many of his presentations, Simon Whistler has given me new insight about this subject.

[@Colbio]

Indeed. The man was a true gentleman. Had his demons, sure. But even that's mostly with our 200 year out hindsight. The only true scar to his person I can name is his suppression of native Americans. And again, at the time, if you didn't hate everything that didn't share your skin tone, YOU were the weird one.

[@alan6832]

He supported abortion rights, and speaking of unpopular American tax: City abortion funding saves city school tax, so much so that cities can then fund country abortions as well, all without answering to country voters.

[@suspicious241]

Washington also owned slaves though... Sure, there were many good things he did or helped do but it is still important to remember that he was a less than ideal individual by modern standards.

[@andywomack3414]

@@suspicious241 Of course, gotta mention that to send the right signal.

[@ms.donaldson2533]

I'm from Baltimore, where is stands atop a monument for his assistance with the Jesuit Coup of 1787.

[@txgunguy2766]

The Whiskey Tax is the reason Southern mountain folk and the Federal government haven't gotten along in over 200 years.

[@magenlin]

Come on bro I'm sure they kind of person to set up alone in the mountains to escape society is gonna hate the government no matter what

[@txgunguy2766]

@@magenlin No, these are people who fought for American independence during the Revolution. Then, the first thing the new government that they had fought for does is implement a 6-18 cent per gallon tax on whiskey production. Not only must the tax be paid in cash, but many smaller distillers often had to pay 2x what larger distillers paid. In many places in the mountains there was no cash at all, whiskey was used to buy things.

[@leggonarm9835]

Now the government does way worse, and we smile and say thank you, sir.

[@scocon8658]

In high school History, our class touched briefly on this rebellion. We were told - and this may be inaccurate - it was easier to transport grain as alcohol since it was lighter and more compact. One of the kids in class asked, "And when it gets to Philadelphia, do they convert it back to grain?" People ripped into him for the rest of the day!

[@thenavylady4630]

Well done, Simon. This was really informative and enjoyable to watch. Thanks!

[@thegaulbegaul]

I really enjoyed this video. You did a great job on some of the most important bullet points of the whiskey rebellion.

[@EmilyJelassi]

Very interesting video! The Whiskey Rebellion got barely a mention in my history class. Well done Simon and team 😊👏🏻💯

[@mustaffa1611]

that because you went to forced compulsory public education school

[@robertortiz-wilson1588]

Very good coverage and message here, very well done!

[@richardleatherman5075]

Thanks for the details, Simon. Always like your content

[@johnforrester9120]

Another brilliant video keep them coming Simon and the team great research

[@M0rmagil]

Washington wasn’t perfect, (which isn’t possible), but he WAS great. Our nation was blessed to have him.

[@stupidrules1000]

Great how exactly? Aside from being great at not paying debts, taxing people to pay for a war after fighting a rebellion to not pay taxes to pay for a war, and owning people....what was his greatness exactly?

[@M0rmagil]

@@stupidrules1000 taxation WITH representation. People don’t like taxes, but if they are arbitrary and oppressive, they became intolerable. The Whiskey Rebellion was simply enforcing the contract that the states all ratified, and with it the power of the government to levy taxes that the representatives of the people voted to impose.

[@dkupke]

@@stupidrules1000Washington handled the whiskey rebellion perfectly. Did everything 100 by the book and even had the class to accompany troops to the fir,d rather than be an armchair quarterback. And when all was said and done, he granted pardons. He wasn’t out for revenge, he was setting a precedent. And tgis country is all the better off for it, the US has enjoyed a remarkable history of political stability because Washington set in stone how we resolve our issues, and it isn’t by throwing rocks.

[@stupidrules1000]

@@dkupke defining doing things by the book, if its the book you wrote is kind of meaningless. the colonists had representation too...they still faught a war over taxes...taxes that were needed BECAUSE OF WASHINGTON. Then, this dude rises an army to enforce a regressive tax (that he primarlily personally benefitted from) levied against farmers who most definitely did NOT have representation in congress, to pay for a war that he started. pardoning those people is not greatness. it is like saying saying freeing slaves in your will is benevolent. it is not. if you think it is, I question your ethical frame work.

[@dinsdalemontypiranha4349]

That was great. Thanks. Good job summing up at the end of the video.

[@josephfrye6542]

These presentations just keep getting better. The addition if background music really adds a nice touch.

[@kthayer39]

Thank you for putting this together so eloquently.

[@frankreynolds9827]

You might want to look at the Battle of Bladensburg. President Madison lead troops against the British in the War of 1812. He is the only President to do so in that office.

[@g-mang-man7924]

I am from Washington, Pa. Where many of the protests occurred. Fascinating story!

[@djordan4648]

This is one of my favorite stories from US history. You guys did a great job presenting it. Simon, of course makes everything sound interesting lol.

[@jonewen9741]

Great job! I always wanted to know more about this subject.

[@WaywardVet]

By far my favorite skirmish. I'm a heavy drinker. I know dang well it's taxed. But that tax wasn't thrown on me suddenly, I just grew up with it. And it subsidized education in the fine state of New Hampshire. Your vice pays for someone else's salvation!

[@tmurrin1979]

This was an amazing video, I am from western Pennsylvania and had never heard of this story. Thanks for sharing!

[@mustaffa1611]

thats because you went to public schools

[@dans364]

Love your channel. I noticed that in this instance your British accent is a little ironic. Keep up the great work!

[@TheNadzed]

This is very interesting, I knew of it, but little detail. I really appreciated this Thanks

[@philly83]

Thank you for covering the whiskey rebellion. This is so often overlooked.

[@theawesomeman9821]

I mean I get why the history books overlook it. Its just a mob of angry hillbillies being shot into submission by the US government.

[@eddarby469]

This narration was so much more engaging and informative than the lesson I had in middle school. There really is a place for the Internet in learning. I'd like to see all the lessons of school delivered in a manner where the parents could review them.

[@mustaffa1611]

you have a problem with the ultra liberal transgender deviant lesson plans of current public education?

[@postscript5549]

Interesting and informative. I had only a minimal knowledge of this before your podcast. Thanks.

[@MHFMSupporter]

Could you please do a video about the South Carolina secession crisis under Jackson? It didn’t have any military conflict, but did bring the country to the brink of civil war.

[@m.c.martin]

I thought that was Louisiana, and that’s why Jackson put New Orleans under Martial Law and then had the US Army open fire on it 🫣

[@avatarcowboy2435]

As Paul Harvey would say, And now, the rest of the story. The government's need to deal with the war debt was very real, but the whiskey tax was put forth through backdoor means by the large eastern distilleries and breweries, whose owners were primarily of English and German descent. Many of the Ulster Scots who formed the bulk of the continental army and officer core under General Washington, had ended up on the western frontier after the revolutionary war. As stated in this video their only viable means of paying for goods from the east was through the sale or barter of whiskey. They begin to cut into the market share enjoyed the large eastern distilleries whose singular purpose was to use this tax to cripple the frontier suppliers. The federal debt was a crisis too good to let go to waste. Seen in this light, Hamilton's, and even Washington's actions were appalling. Any actual revolution could have been stopped by ending this corrupt tax. Seems like some things never change, only the players.

[@LEEEEMO]

Quite right. The whole business of the whiskey excise was cynical to the core. There's a great deal more to be said on this. Thanks for this comment.

[@dkupke]

Leaving out the part about his the whiskey tax had string support from religious lobbyists who saw it as a curb on sinfulness. And also how Washington was within his legal powers to take the actions he did and that he did it all completely by the book and showed a great deal of restraint in the aftermath.

[@fasteddie9867]

Amazing documentary! Thanks! I learned so much.

[@mauricedavis2160]

Simon, your ending comments are so appropo, great episode and channel Sir!!!🙏👍👻

[@KesMonkey]

After seeing your video on the F-111 yesterday on Megaprojects, I'd love to see you cover Operation El Dorado Canyon (US bombing of Libya in 1986) on this channel.

[@TheEvilCommenter]

Good video 👍

[@joshuamccormick5497]

That was a fantastic final monologue Simon

[@supercliff5634]

Thanks for sharing. I didn’t know this part of our history. Beautiful closing.

[@quasarsavage]

“… all enemies foreign and domestic...” be looking interesting 😂 gotta define that better swearing and swearing oaths right

[@ericbush1544]

Keep up the good work. We need to remember history. Do you ever wonder if the history that is written, and has been accepted as fact, is actually how things went down?

[@Peter-oh3hc]

Thank you. Filled a gap in my knowledge I didn't even know I had

[@anthonyparenti1928]

I live in western PA, Eastern PA is basically a different state.

[@rayekhbluehun452]

Everyone: "How many channels do you need?" Simon: "Yes"

[@mschaefer4656]

There's more to the story. Pres GW had previous dealings with Western Pennsylvania. GW served in the British Army during the French & Indian War. Through surveying and gifts of land, by King George and the Colony of Virginia, he eventually came to own 58,000 acres in Western PA. Unfortunately, Pioneers in the area were not aware of this and had moved on to this land in the early 1770's, building houses, barns, and farming the land. In fact, these pioneers had purchased this land from someone else, thinking they owned it free and clear. GW showed up in the mid-1780's and only then was there a dispute over the land, despite the Pioneers farming it some 12 years. It went to court. Long story short, we lost, and have been referred to as "The Squatters" ever since. As in, squatting on GW's land. I am a direct descendent of James McBride who was one of the 13 men who went to court, along with his brother Samuel McBride. Could GW have borne a grudge over these "Squatters" who disputed his land ownership, then refused to pay rent after losing the court case, rather abandoning their farms than pay him a dime? From the local perspective, this would have been an earlier instance of an easterner coming onto the frontier and bullying the locals. The case was well known, at least in that area of Western PA, near Pittsburgh. The locals were more on the side of the pioneers than this wealthy Virginian, war-hero (not yet President) though he was. Anyway, my uncle wrote a manuscript linking the two together better than I can, but never published it before he died. I wish "The Squatters" story were more well known, and have held on to his manuscript. Who actually owned what land was a very tricky business back in the day. This story is also mentioned in a book: 'The Grand Idea: George Washington's Potomac and The Race To The West, by Joel Achenbach.

[@rachaelsdaddontdrink]

Great story about the tideland entrepreneurs "staking" claims on virgin wilderness; even after said wilderness had been used for years by pioneers... It makes one wonder why a claim filed under the laws of "British America" would even be valid after the revolution... F##k GW if he still thought those claims still had validity after several changes if government...

[@dinahnicest6525]

Kentucky and Vermont also refused to collect the tax. It was precisely because GW owned Western PA that they came down so hard on that locale. It was a personal insult.

[@dkupke]

@@dinahnicest6525Washington showed admirable restraint. If he was out for revenge, he’d have had all the whiskey rebels rounded up and executed. He granted pardons instead.

[@dinahnicest6525]

@@dkupke It wasn't revenge. It was PR. It wouldn't look good if the new untried government couldn't do anything about an insurrection on the president's own property.

[@DanaPAH]

I've lived in the South Hills area of Pittsburgh all of my life, and never really thought too seriously about the Whiskey Rebellion. So, I didn't know much about it. Bower Hill Rd, McFarland Rd, Neville Island are all names of places I've traveled down and past millions of times, but never knew the origin of. Now, I do know and really want to know more about. This weekend there's an event going down at John Neville's Woodville home on Washington Pike that I'm really sad to be missing, but I'm definitely planning a visit to the house soon. And if they have it again next year, I'll try to attend.

[@jansimmons2081]

Thanks for this. Grew up on Fort Couch. My husband is a descendant of Bower and I am a descendant of Robert Johnson.

[@302racing3]

Can you talk about the Battles of Fallujah? They were some of the only set-piece battles of the War on Terror and the fiercest urban conflict since Hue

[@rc59191]

My cousin fought in that he was a First Sergeant with Marine Force Recon.

[@skyden24195]

For a few years, around the time of the mentioned Battles of Fallujah, I worked with a guy whose son was wounded in one of the battles. As told to me, as well as heard several times when my co-worker would be compelled to share the story with others, his son was with a team in the process of sweeping buildings for insurrectionists when he was fired upon by a sniper. Fortunately for his son, the round clipped the edge of the doorway which altered the trajectory therefore causing only a superficial wound. Sadly though, as well shared via my co-worker and his son, the other soldier, who had been his partner on the sweep assignment, was killed by insurgents just days later.

[@theawesomeman9821]

I'd watch it. The second bloodiest battle for Americans in the 21st'C. First place goes to the battle of Amahbad, Afghanistan, where Americans lost 200 troops. only 102 American troops died in Fallujah.

[@gandalf_thegrey]

US going from Whiskey Rebellion to Prohibition to Hippies to war an drugs be like: *Parkour*

[@dkupke]

Fact: one of the reasons Hamilton chose a tax on whiskey was because of political lobbying by Bible thumpers who hoped a tax on booze would discourage drinking.

[@stevenlowe3026]

Maybe you should also do a video about the Rum Rebellion in New South Wales. Fascinating.

[@CrazyBear65]

Geez, Simon, how many channels you got now? Damn. Love the Beard Blaze.

[@cabarete2003]

Taxes should never be levied to stop behavior.

[@jons4418]

The tax on whiskey was not love you to stop at behavior. It was levied was to pay off the war debt

[@sydhenderson6753]

Then there's Shay's Rebellion (1786-7) which the Confederation proved unable to deal with since they were unable to raise money, and which was finally defeated by the Massachusetts militia. It may have influenced the creation of a stronger central government under the Constitution.

[@josephpadula2283]

New work on the Shay’s rebellion shows how repressive the Boston government was being to the Western people of the state. I can’t remember the facts but when U read the laws they past it made George III look nice. Look up more about what happened and you may change your mind about the history As Taught, and Reason for the new constitution.

[@joshmaxwell7968]

@@josephpadula2283 Meet the new boss. Worse than the old boss.

[@coreymasoy7034]

Good episode.

[@funnydaze7792]

Excellent presentation 👍

[@Injustify123]

George Washington had shown excellent leadership throughout the entire episode of the "Whiskey Rebellion." Restraint used as sharp as the finest blade, force execute with confidence that no other man could conjure. Washington, the leader that all leaders aspire to be.

[@stupidrules1000]

Ummmm......excellent leadership? I mean maybe. A regressive tax on one of the broadest commodities (meaning that the smallest farmer, clergy or anyoje getting paid in whiskey would get taxed at the highest rate and the president of the new nation, who happened to be among the largest whiskey producers would get taxed at the lowest rate) all while those being taxed interests are NOT being represented - you know the shit you just fought a war over - and then raising an army to enforce the tax....seems more like hypocricy than leadership....kinda like revolting because you don't want to pay for s war that you started, or fighting a war for freedom and liberty while owning human beings. In short dude was evil. His leadership is good in the same way that hitler's leadership was good...effective for an evil cause.....because he was evil.

[@dkupke]

@@stupidrules1000Hamilton’s tax policy actually made perfect sense, even if it was short sighted and poorly implemented. Once shots had been fired, there was no going back. Washington’s first duty was to restore order, and he approached the crisis 100% by the book. He even had the class to accompany the trips himself, to set an example. And had the foresight to grant pardons after the fact. If he were what you are insisting, it would have been a lot bloodier.

[@stupidrules1000]

@@dkupke I don't know that a regressive tax policy ever makes sense. But even if it did...then so did King George's tax policy. And these dudes fought a war over it. If you don't see the hypocricy there...I don't know what to say...except maybe people in this country are the descendants of people who did not see the irony of starting a war over taxes, only to turn around and implement an even more explpitative tax policy as soon as they won the war.

[@reddeserted13]

On the Georgia frontier, General Elijah Clark was trying to create his own state at that same time. He had been communicating with Levi Allen, who visited Clark in Georgia twice to discuss frontier independence.

[@dinahnicest6525]

General James Wilkinson had already sworn loyalty oaths to both Spain and France before 1794 when he became the second in command to Anthony Wayne and was in on their intrigues to grab what they could from the Louisiana Territory. Meanwhile Alex Hamilton was "Agent 10", an informant (spy) for England. He undermined John Jay's negotiation of the Jay treaty of 1796 by telling the British that Jay was bluffing about negotiating with France.

[@JamesWalker-ng1qh]

Very well done.

[@mohammedsaysrashid3587]

A Wonderful introducing of First crisis Which created Whiskey Rebellion & Showed how Economic-production procedure of New Capitalism forces Subdued classic-old Economic production Procedure of Old Capitalism in producing same Product ...thanks for sharing

[@Green.Country.Agroforestry]

It was Hamilton that suggested consolidating the revolutionary war debt in the first place - most likely because he and his buddies (the ones that voted to adopt the new constitution creating a federal government) had been spending several years previously purchasing US revolutionary war bonds, often at pennies on the dollar. Consolidating that debt under the new federal government, and using the taxation power that they had just given themselves in order to get paid at full value was not an accident - it was deliberate, it was criminal, and now everyone knows: the US Government as we know it today was concieved as a scheme to generate profits for the politically connected elites of the day at the expense of the American people.

[@TJDious]

I live just south of Pittsburgh very close to Whiskey Run Hollow, so named because supposedly the whiskey farmers tipped their stills over rather than pay the tax and local legend states that the whiskey got all up in the creek. 🙃

[@TJDious]

Also used to live right off of Bower Hill Road.

[@RENEGADEJon19]

Is it bad that I just imagined a bunch of fish swimming drunkenly about? A northern pike tries to attack another fish, but bites a log instead?

[@JRT140]

I live right off Vanadium and Bower Hill

[@drewknoles3258]

Excellent!

[@markwright4385]

One of my ancestors, Benjamen Wells,was a tax collector during the whiskey rebellion and you just mentioned him as I was typing this. If you can't beat em, join em.

[@tlcmc6451]

Thanks for this, Simon. My ancestor was arrested, charged with treason, and acquitted for his role in the Whiskey Rebellion. He was found guilty of a lesser charge and pardoned by G. Washington. He did go on to found about 30 Baptist churches. He was a Patriot (Revolutionary War veteran) and arrested many times for preaching in Virginia. His preaching from his jail cell inspired Madison and his ideas about freedom of religion.

[@greatexpectations6577]

Wow, I have read this in history of the Baptists in America. People don’t realize the sacrifices that many religious minorities faced in early American history.

[@theawesomeman9821]

what's his name?

[@dmarks0630]

I'm amazed that the legislation had already been in the favor of big enterprises and in the disfavor of the small guys even at the beginning of the republic.

[@wcsxwcsx]

These smaller U.S. military actions fascinate me. You're doing a great job of bringing us succinct overviews of them. I look forward to seeing something about Shay's Rebellion and the Quasi-War.

[@CT-te7bx]

I thought something happened in what now is Monongahela. That wasn’t mentioned here though. Very interesting video. I learned a few things.

[@johnafielding]

Funny how the Whiskey Rebellion didn't affect the Second Amendment.

[@jasonrodgers9063]

Six gallons of whiskey consumed per year? For me, that's about 3 months!

[@Mrgunsngear]

Thanks

[@tmclaug90]

Can just imagine FDR wheeling threw the surf up to Guadalcanal with a BAR strapped across his lap.

[@AugustusTitus]

The lack of cash in the colonies was a huge issue before independence. See Web of Debt for more info.

[@SatanicGeese]

It be really cool to see you do a video on the Michigan Ohio war

[@lilyofshalott]

Yes, this! The war where Michigan and Ohio fought, and Wisconsin lost.

[@MrMcGreed]

I really love Morris' writing :) Especailly the endings!

[@tereseshaw7650]

Wonderful storytelling.

[@thesisypheanjournal1271]

The town I grew up in had a Whiskey Rebellion historical site -- a tiny stone house with a slate roof, oddly placed lower than the passing street. We didn't know a lot about it; we were just proud that our little town of fewer than 2,000 inhabitants was connected to anything of any significance whatsoever..

[@aa2339]

Tax incentives or even exemptions should have just been given to local distilleries operating in undeveloped frontier areas. It would have gone a long way defusing the whole issue.

[@dersuddeutschesumpf5444]

Hamilton the old legbiter was a little too hard set on his new tax for that to happen with his political career being at risk and all

[@messiahpicaro2.041]

Yeah, did the people overreact, yes. Did Hamilton make a mistake in the form of a whiskey tax, yes. Both parties were in the wrong here in a way.

[@paulmitchell3714]

Great video! I particularly liked your very timely closing remarks.

[@robbyfrankz]

Simon’s sarcasm is top tier

[@ethanbell6762]

Idea for a video: The Football War, where two sovereign nations with enough tension to measure on the Richter Scale went to war because of immigration, soccer, and bananas

[@skyden24195]

That's a good one. (Not the war, per say, but a video about the war.)

[@wasteland5000]

YESSS, that event is not talked about much. I only knew about it from Oversimplified's video on it.

[@ethanbell6762]

@@wasteland5000 That's about the only place I heard about it. And as funny as that video was, I'd love a more serious take of it.

[@53gaDr34mc4st]

Also one of the last, if not the very last, aerial dogfights between propeller planes.

[@williammatthews693]

This video brought on my moment of realization: that I learned more about this period of American history from a half hour KZbin video than all 12 years of formal schooling within the country itself.

[@theoutlook55]

Having gone to public school, I cannot say that my experience was the same. I learned a lot about this period just from reading my class history books.

[@ecmorgan69]

Agreed. I learned nothing about this in school.

[@STho205]

Mostly this has to do with interest. One listens when they're ready and Bart Simpsons when they're not. Before 1980 history was often taught in an exciting romantic story telling way by teachers that were passionate about history, civics and literature. Over the past 4+ decades that approach has been discouraged. Listed as overly romantic or flawed....lengthy dry outlines have replaced the major events...and minor character stories of diverse figures have been shoehorned in with glowing prose...often 10 pages on Crispus Atticus or a Bostkn laundress and one paragraph on Sons of Liberty actions. Add to that, teachers today do not have the same personality as those of 60 years ago. Mostly pragmatic civil service employees told to teach primarily to the standardized test...and if they have time....toss in a few minutes on other stuff. Mainstream history is not so interesting to them as HerStory or Everything Taught Was Wrong. Now look at this fine and objective presentation. This is how we were once taught history as kids: An interesting story Focus on cause and events Famous historical men involved The conclusion that lays foundation for the next chapter. Not once did he take a strange diversion. When mentioning the military action of african americans, he just matter of factly said the Revenuer armed his slaves to fight the Whisky Boys.

[@theoutlook55]

@@STho205 you make good points, but let's be honest, half of the lack of interest has to do with the kids themselves and being forced to learn something. I was a kid too, and do remember it well. There's a big difference between wanting to learn something and being obliged to do so, there's a big drop in interest during the latter. By the way, I'm not sure how textbooks have changed since I was in grade school over 15 years ago, but we had plenty of those teachers who had to prepare us for a standardized test, I'm in Texas and so we have had those since the mid-90s, and we always had plenty of insets in textbooks talking about lesser known characters from history. As such, your critique of new teaching styles doesn't really hold much weight in terms of saying that that's a key reason why kids aren't interested in history. Kids have always been dissing on history (much to my chagrin given how I have always had a strong personal interest in it). It's nothing new, and those so-called HerStories etc are ways to make it a bit more interesting to people. Anyway, I'm done.

[@STho205]

@@theoutlook55 that's one of my points. Kids aren't interested in history on their own. They aren't interested in math or grammar on their own. History is more personally interesting for some people as they grow older and see things beyond their own neighborhood, home or school. They wonder how this or that happened. How'd we get on this road. Films and TV romantic history like Wonderful World of Disney in the 60s histories made history more exciting for kids. Pirates, revolutionaries, presidents, kings, armies, heroes, villians.... helped wet the imagination. Dry presentation by teachers on the verge of outrage against the Man or living a same ole same ole life kills it. Andy Griffith did a comedy routine they worked into the Andy Griffith Show in the episode where they introduced Helen Krump.

[@tsafa]

It is significant that the Whiskey Rebellion started in septembar of 1791 and the Second Amendment was ratified in December of 1791. Get the Second Amendment says shall not be infringed. There's no exception. This is critical to how the Supreme Court looks at text, history and tradition.

[@Jaunyus]

I haven't seen your channel in quite some time and I must say, your beard has grown quite impressively long.

[@billpindell2290]

Anyone who wants more info check out the book "The Whiskey Rebellion: A Frontier Epilogue to the American Revolution" by H.T. Albert. I read this book while studying for my Master's Degree in History. Its incredibly dense, but incredibly informative as well. Fun Fact; after leaving office, George Washington opened his own Distillery at his estate Mount Vernon and became the biggest distiller of Whiskey in the US at the time, producing 10,000 gallons of Rye Whiskey per year! Also, I live in Pittsburgh, PA. There is a brand of locally produced Whiskey out here named 'Wigle' . The brand is named after Philip Weigel, how they got this spelling I have no idea, but if you're ever in Pittsburgh, you should check out the distillery located in the heart of the City.

[@dinahnicest6525]

I read Slaughter's book. The last time I was in PA I had to stop at John Bonnet's Tavern for a shot of whiskey.

[@jasonsearle7832]

The hypocrisy of the US govt.

[@Schedule1ne315]

One of the most inspirational stories ever

[@khorix51]

Hi mate would love to see a video on the battle of Vellers-Brettonneux

[@thumper84]

Imagine if they saw the abuses of our federal government now

[@josephgriffin2388]

They'd say it's inevitable..... don't give up your weapons.

[@Mark-gg6iy]

Oh "they" (traitors) do, to wit: ..."Four members of the Oath Keepers were found guilty today by a jury in the District of Columbia of seditious conspiracy and other charges for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Their actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress that was in the process of ascertaining and counting the electoral votes related to the presidential election. According to the evidence at trial, in the months leading up to January 6, these defendants and their co-conspirators plotted to oppose by force the lawful transfer of presidential power, including by amassing an armed “quick reaction force” on the outskirts of the District of Columbia. The defendants - Roberto Minuta, 38, of Prosper, Texas; Joseph Hackett, 52, of Sarasota, Florida; David Moerschel, 45, of Punta Gorda, Florida; and Edward Vallejo, 64, of Phoenix, Arizona - were leaders and associates of the Oath Keepers organization. In addition to the seditious conspiracy count, all four were found guilty of conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of an official proceeding, and conspiracy to prevent Members of Congress from discharging their official duties. Hackett was also found guilty of destruction of evidence. “Today, the Justice Department secured the conviction of four members of the Oath Keepers for their criminal conduct surrounding the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol,” said U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “A jury found all four defendants guilty of seditious conspiracy, as well as conspiracies to obstruct the certification of the electoral college vote and to prevent members of Congress from discharging their duties. I am grateful to the prosecutors, agents, and staff for their excellent work on this case.” “Today’s verdict is an important step in our continued efforts to hold criminally accountable those involved in the breach of the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “We will continue to investigate those who sought to undermine the workings of American democracy and we will work closely with federal prosecutors to ensure justice is served.” “For the second time in recent months, a jury has found that a group of Americans entered into a seditious conspiracy against the United States,” said U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia. “The goal of this conspiracy was to prevent the execution of our laws that govern the peaceful transfer of power - striking at the very heart of our democracy. We are grateful to the thoughtful, deliberative work of this jury who gave weeks of their lives to carefully consider and deliver justice in this case and in so doing reaffirmed our democratic principles.” Today’s verdict follows the Nov. 29, 2022, seditious conspiracy conviction of Elmer Stewart Rhodes III and Kelly Meggs - two leaders of the Oath Keepers. Jessica Watkins, Kenneth Harrelson, and Thomas Caldwell were also convicted of related felony charges in that first trial. All nine defendants were indicted as part of the same conspiracy on Jan. 12, 2022. Seditious conspiracy, conspiracy to obstruct Congress, obstruction of Congress, and destruction of evidence all carry a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. All charges carry potential financial penalties. The court will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. U.S. District Court Judge Amit Mehta will schedule sentencing hearings at a later date."...

[@tristanburgos1]

I can’t even imagine a president nowadays being as badass as George Washington was💯

[@user-io1bo5gr2m]

I remember as a young lad reading a version that was somewhat different than the version you are discussing and with a different account of what happened! What I read was different and never mentioned Hamiltons' role whatsoever! And some rebels were actually executed. I am now concerned that the version reality of your perspective is likely true, even though you are a British citizen and I am only your friendly neighborhood Yankee! Thank you for revealing Hamiltons' part within that crisis. I appreciate the whole story compared to the short version I was given as a young boy! I actually read that a handful of the insurectionists were hung by George Washington, yet I intuitively believe that your recognition of the truth is the reality of what actually occurred. I truly believe that through the Magna Carta and the Constitution that Americans and British citizens are sorting out their red, white , and blue 💙.

[@wowbagger3505]

I remember the vague references to the whiskey rebellion in western Pennsylvania in American History and only recently realized I grew up right in the middle of where it occurred. My mother was born in Washington, Pennsylvania and I grew up in West Liberty, WV. There is a growing revival of boutique rye whiskey distilleries in the region the one I am most familiar with, Liberty Pole, still hangs Hamilton upside down.

[@calexander7495]

That moment when you wake up from your bender and there's a Federal Army confounding your hangover.