Inside the Vault: The Whiskey Rebellion and United States Great Seal
Posted by Gilder Lehrman Staff on Wednesday, 05/17/2023
Inside the Vault: Highlights from the Gilder Lehrman Collection is an online program focusing on unique primary sources from the Gilder Lehrman Collection. From iconic historical treasures, such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Emancipation Proclamation, to personal letters that reveal the contributions of ordinary American citizens, each session investigates primary sources and discusses their background, impact, and potential use in the classroom.
Join us on June 1, 2023, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT), when our curators will discuss the Whiskey Rebellion and the United States Great Seal with Dr. Gautham Rao, Associate Professor of History, American University.
The Whiskey Rebellion occurred among farmers in western Pennsylvania during George Washington’s presidency, when the federal government instituted a tax on liquor. This program will explore the broader context of the rebellion and how it, like the Great Seal, legitimized federal power in the early United States. This program is made possible by the Fund for the Endowment of the Diplomatic Reception Rooms.
Submit your questions for Dr. Rao here.