What was the main economic conflict during the Whiskey Rebellion?

The Whiskey Rebellion, which occurred in the 1790s, was primarily a response to a federal excise tax imposed on whiskey, which was a key product in the western frontier economy. Farmers, particularly in Pennsylvania, who distilled their surplus grain into whiskey, relied on this product not only as a staple in their diet but also as a significant part of their economy. The tax was seen as an unfair burden on those who were already struggling economically, and it triggered widespread resistance among the affected farmers, who viewed it as a violation of their rights.

The rebellion highlighted the tensions between the federal government and rural communities, especially regarding taxation and economic policy. The farmers' unrest symbolized a deeper frustration with federal authorities, which they felt favored the interests of the eastern elite over those of western settlers. The federal response to suppress the rebellion underscored the government's resolve to maintain law and order and to assert its authority over the states.

In contrast, the other options do not encapsulate the central issue of discontent that characterized this event. Tariffs on imported goods, land disputes, and trade agreements, while significant issues of the time, did not directly incite the Whiskey Rebellion in the way the whiskey tax did.