Whisky Rebellion
NASCAR is one of the most popular sports in America – and its history dates back to before cars were invented, even.
Roots NASCAR dates back to 1794 Whiskey Rebellion. A consumption tax imposed on whiskey by the federal government in 1791, angering farmers. The tax was seven cents per gallon tax on whiskey. Many farmers converted their grain crops in alcohol, because the grain was difficult to transport through the mountains. Consequently, the whiskey tax would severely damage their livelihoods.
Ironically, the tax was imposed by the U.S. to help pay debts by the federal government during the War of Independence – a war that was fought by unfair taxation by the government.
Many areas in the western U.S. were unhappy with the federal government taxes. In his view, the government played little role in their lives, and now was to take away your hard earned money. As a result, Many simply refused to pay the government agents who came to collect their taxes. The officers were often attacked and beaten while paying farmers tax became objects of ridicule among his neighbors.
During the summer of 1794, the rebellion reached its climax when a federal agent was attacked and the regional inspector's house was burned. U.S. President George Washington had had enough, and ended up sending 13 000 troops led by General Harry Lee (father Robert E. Lee) and the actual Washington to quell the riot.
Many of the rebels fled before the militia could arrive. The incident helped to show that the government U.S. federal could successfully assert its power over individual states. In the end, a dozen men were arrested but were later pardoned. As for Excise rebellion began a whole, which was repealed in 1801.
What does all this have to do with NASCAR?
To exceed the tax, many farmers began secretly convert their grain into whiskey and selling it on the sly. In this way, why did not the government that they had made whiskey, and not have to turn their tax revenue.
This created the roots of the smuggling industry. It became an important part of many Southern states for the next century, before exploding in 1920 and 1930. These were the years when the U.S. government banned the sale of alcohol – ie smugglers were the only way to get a bottle of alcohol.
As a result, the smuggling industry became more active than ever … and also was under federal control. In order to escape federal agents, smugglers developed ultra-fast cars to escape from their vehicles. In turn, these vehicles race became a popular sport. Although the ban was eventually repealed, the popularity of the cars … and continued in 1938, the first official NASCAR race was held.
So if you enjoy a NASCAR race on television or in the stadium, remember – is based on the tradition that goes back even before the first car. In fact, is part of the story of America itself.
The author also recommends that you read:
http://www.earlyamerica.com/earlyamerica/milestones/whiskey/
Hank’s Saloon – Alex Battles & The Whisky Rebellion