What was the federal government's response to the Whiskey Rebellion? a- Washington met with rebels to discuss abolishing the whiskey tax.

b- Congress sent a team of negotiators to talk to the rebels.

c- Congress did nothing because it was a state matter, not a federal one.

d- Washington sent several thousand soldiers to stop the rebels.

Explanation:

When resistance came to a climax in 1794, the federal government finally decided to take action against the rebellious western farmers. A proclamation was issued by George Washington for the insurgents to disperse, while at the same time militias were being gathered from several colonies. Because there were not many volunteers, a draft system was used to raise a large army. The draft led to even more resistance to the government, as many of the drafted men did not wish to join. During the rounding up of the recruits, several civilians were accidentally killed during resistance. They eventually succeeded in raising a large militia, and led by general Harry Lee, then governor of Virginia, the militia was a menacing force to the rebels.  

The first conflict between the rebels and the militia began at Bower Hill, General and tax inspector John Neville's fortified home. Insurgents surrounded the home and fighting broke out after Neville fired a shot that wounded a rebel in response to their demands. The rebels, commanded by a veteran of the revolutionary war by the name of James McFarlane, open fired. The fighting ended in the mortal wounding of McFarlane, after which the rebels retreated. McFarlane later died. The casualties of this battle were the only casualties suffered by either side from the entire rebellion that were not accidental.  

After the fighting broke out at Bower Hill, radicals gathered at PIttsburgh during the so called "March On Pittsburgh". Around 7,000 people gathered in Braddock's field in Pittsburgh on August 1st to protest McFarlane's "murder" and continue their demands about the tax, although most of them did not even own whiskey stills or land. Protests had grown into other areas of colonial discontent, especially for the poor. There was talk among the most radical insurgents of independence from the United States.  Eventually an assembly of the rebels met and discussed demands and resolutions. The federal government was forced to use the militia as a way of preventing violence, as peace negotiations seemed impossible.  

Shortly after the rebel meeting, Washington sent a group of commissioners to negotiate with the rebels. Washington secretly doubted the commissioners would succeed in their negotiations, and ordered the militia march west and take action against the rebels soon after.  The resistance collapsed shortly after this, and no further show of force from the federal government was necessary. Many of the revolutionary leaders, such as David Bradford, fled west and eluded capture. The federal government estimated 24 men were guilty of high treason, of these only ten stood trial, 2 were convicted and later pardoned by George Washington.

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