What was Hamilton’s rationale for placing a tax on whiskey?(1 point)

Responses

He wanted to distribute the taxes to state governments.
He wanted to distribute the taxes to state governments.

He wanted to halt the export of whiskey.
He wanted to halt the export of whiskey.

He planned to use the tax to reduce the national debt.
He planned to use the tax to reduce the national debt.

He wanted to impose a penalty on farmers for producing too much whiskey

He wanted to impose a penalty on farmers for producing too much whiskey.

He wanted to use the tax to reduce the national debt.

The correct answer is:

He planned to use the tax to reduce the national debt.

Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury in the United States, proposed the tax on whiskey as part of his overall plan to strengthen the nation's finances. The tax on whiskey was intended to generate additional revenue for the federal government, which could then be used to pay off the national debt. Hamilton believed that by reducing the debt, the government would strengthen its credit and financial standing both domestically and internationally.

To get this answer, you can use various resources such as history books, articles, or reliable online sources. You can also study Hamilton's financial plan, particularly the reports he submitted to Congress outlining his proposals, including the tax on whiskey. By understanding the historical context and Hamilton's reasoning behind the tax, you can deduce that his rationale was to reduce the national debt.