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Shay's Rebellion
The tax on the poor farmers in Massachusetts. The farmers were angry about the high taxes and crushing debt which led to the seizing of their lands. The insurrection inspired fears of "mob rule" among leading Revolutionaries. -
Whiskey Rebellion
Pennsylvania farmers revolted against Hamilton's excise tax on whiskey, and an attempt to issue arrest warrants for the perpetrators resulted in the deaths of several federal agents. In October 1794, troops under Washington crushed the rebellion. This event demonstrated that in contrast to the government under the Articles of Confederation, which was unable to deal with Shay's Rebellion, the new government under the Constitution could respond quickly and effectively to such problems. -
XYZ Affair
The XYZ Affair was a diplomatic incident that nearly involved the US and France in a war. Congress suspended all trade with France in 1798. So, John Adams sent representatives to France to solve the crisis. The French agents bribed the US diplomats into a negotiation. An unofficial naval battle ensued, but the countries signed a peace treaty to end the conflict. -
Quasi War
The Quasi War was known as the Undeclared War with France and lasted from 1798-1800. France was outraged by the Favored Nation Treaty. The Congress approved the use of force against the French in the American waters. The War finally ended with the Convection of 1800 -
Alien and Sedition Acts
The Federalist-controlled Congress passed four laws known collectively as the "Alien Act" and the "Sedition Act." These laws raised the residency requirement for citizenship from five to 14 years. This authorized the president to deport "aliens," and authorized wartime arrest, imprisonment, and deportation.