The Whiskey Rebellion

A. caused the formation of the Democratic Societies.
B. unified northern merchants and southern farmers.
C. led to the development of two distinct political groups.
D. created a single party political system.

C?

I agree.

Yes, option C is correct. The Whiskey Rebellion led to the development of two distinct political groups. Now let me explain why.

The Whiskey Rebellion took place in the United States in the late 18th century, specifically in the years 1791 to 1794. It was a protest against the new federal excise tax on whiskey, which was deeply unpopular among western frontier farmers who relied on whiskey production as a source of income.

At the time, there were two prominent political factions emerging in the young United States: the Federalists, led by Alexander Hamilton, and the Democratic-Republicans, led by Thomas Jefferson. The Whiskey Rebellion became a divisive issue that further deepened the divide between these two groups.

The Federalists, who supported the tax, believed in a strong central government and favored policies that would promote a strong economy and manufacturing industry. They saw the whiskey tax as a means to fund the federal government and stabilize the economy.

On the other hand, the Democratic-Republicans, who opposed the tax, advocated for states' rights and a more limited federal government. They argued that the tax disproportionately burdened small farmers and violated their liberties.

The Whiskey Rebellion served as a catalyst for these two political groups to solidify their positions and further define their ideologies. It showcased the growing ideological differences and competing visions for the future of the United States.

Therefore, the Whiskey Rebellion led to the development of two distinct political groups: the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans.