Day 1

1. On the board define the words "Rebel" and "Resist." Ask the students to brainstorm examples of conflict within the United States. List and categorize the ideas according to whether they consider it as resistance or rebellion. Allow approximately 10 minutes for opening activity.

Rebel - to show physical or moral force or opposition against an authority, such as the government
Rebellion - an armed revolt
Resist - peaceful actions, which show opposition

See Teachers Guide 4 to Classroom Activity-Examples of "Rebellion" and "Resistance" for examples of each.

2. Write the title, "Whiskey Rebellion" on the board. Explain to the students that they will be participating in a Mock Trial Simulation on the Whiskey Rebellion that took place in the state of Pennsylvania in 1794. Their objective will be to analyze the perspectives presented by both sides to determine whether the Whiskey "rebels" were guilty of rebelling and violating government laws or whether their actions as tax resisters were justifiable.

3. Prepare the students for the "Whiskey Rebellion" by having them read Student Handout 1- The Whiskey Rebellion-Reading to Be Informed (Note: The information on this handout has been transcribed from related story chapters on The Whiskey Rebellion). Students should first read over the questions on Student Worksheet 1-The Whiskey Rebellion. They should then read for information from Student Handout 1 and highlight the answers to the questions. Finally, they should record their responses on Student Worksheet 1. This can be an overnight homework assignment used as preparation for the mock trial or completed in class.

4. Assess the students understanding of the Whiskey Rebellion by introducing Exciseman Cartoon. Disseminate Exciseman Cartoon to your students. Also distribute Student Worksheet 2-Cartoon Analysis Worksheet. Direct students to use the knowledge they gained from their reading on the Whiskey Rebellion to analyze the image and political cartoon of the Exciseman. They should record their answers on Student Worksheet 2-Cartoon Analysis Worksheet. This assignment can be done in groups or independently. Give the students approximately 15 minutes to complete the analysis. Discuss responses as a class. Allow approximately 10 minutes for discussion.

Day 2

1. Use Student Handout 4-Sample Courtroom Setting to set up classroom.

2. Inform students that they will analyze both perspectives of those involved in the Whiskey
Rebellion through a Mock Trial Simulation. Assess prior knowledge by asking the students to brainstorm a list of individuals who would be involved in a trial and what their jobs might include. These ideas can be recorded on the board. Distribute Student Handout 2- Mock Trial Role Descriptions. Use the handout to identify and discuss the key individuals involved in a trial and their jobs. Allow approximately 10 minutes for this activity.

3. Distribute Student Worksheet 3-Discussion Web for Mock Trial. Explain that the purpose of the mock trial is to evaluate the points presented by both the prosecution and the defendants to answer the central question, were the citizen "rebels" guilty of rebelling and violating government laws or were their actions as tax resisters justifiable? This question can be recorded on the board. Students should also record this question in the central question box on the discussion web. As the mock trial is presented, the jury should be completing Student Worksheet 3-Discussion Web. Points for each side should be recorded under the appropriate columns. At the conclusion of the mock trial, the jury should deliberate and evaluate both viewpoints and answer the central question with support in the conclusion section of the graphic organizer. Allow 5 minutes for directions.

4. Distribute Student Handout 3-Whiskey Rebellion Mock Trial Play. Assign roles for the mock trial on the Whiskey Rebellion. Each student should have a part:

• judge (1)


• narrator (1)


• bailiff (1)


• attorneys (2)


• witnesses (8)


• jury (remaining students).

Allow 5 minutes to assign roles.

5. Direct students to read the play and use proper oral speaking skills (volume, eye contact, tone, mood…) Note: The mock trial could be video taped for further assessment and evaluation. Disseminate the following primary resources for Exhibits A and B during the play:

Tarring and Feathering Image
Opposition to an Excise Tax on Liquor (1790) By THE INHABITANTS OF WESTMORELAND COUNTY
A Protest against the Passage of an Excise Tax (1791) by THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
By THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Petition against the Excise Tax (1792) By Inhabitants of Western Pennsylvania [Penned by Albert Gallatin], 1792.
The Democratic Society of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia) Principles, Articles, and Regulations 30 May 1793
Condemnations, Defenses, and Society Attacks on the Excise "A Friend to Good Government" New York Daily Gazette, February 21, 1794.

Allow 15 minutes for the play.

6. Allow the jury to analyze the facts and perspectives presented by the witnesses.

7. Direct students to share their conclusions with the class, as well as supporting points to defend their conclusion. Allow for discussion and debate.
Allow 15 minutes.