Last updated: September 21, 2020
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Whiskey Rebellion: Answers to Question 5.
If you answered:
A). Maybe it is time to leave town. It’s becoming too lawless. That was the Federalist opinion.
B). Raise a rebel army. It is time to revolt against the federal government. That was the Rebel opinion.
C). Call a meeting. Let’s try to manage this. That was the Moderate opinion.
The rebels did not back down. A new rebel leader emerged, David Bradford. Although not authorized to do so, he called the regional militias to a muster at Braddock’s Field, nine miles east of Pittsburgh. Most of the 7,000 men who arrived were landless and poor. The mob looked forward to plundering the army’s fort of ammunition and looting the town. Bradford demanded that to save Pittsburgh from being burned half a dozen staunch federalists had to be expelled.
Most of the federalists in Pittsburgh saw how dangerous the situation was and willingly fled. Some were coerced into leaving, in order to save the town.
The moderates were in a very precarious position. They feared for their lives and their property, but at the same time thought that they were obligated to work towards a peaceful solution. Brackenridge convinces the rebel leaders to parade through the town showing their might, but to spare Pittsburgh. Meanwhile Pittsburghers prepared plenty of free food and whiskey for the rebel army. When the rebel army reached the town, it seemed to have lost its purpose. After having their fill, the militiamen dispersed and went home. Disaster had been narrowly averted.