In 1794, several significant events took place globally, especially in the United States and France: United States:
- The Whiskey Rebellion occurred in western Pennsylvania, where farmers protested against the federal excise tax on liquor. President George Washington responded decisively by leading militia forces to suppress the rebellion, marking the first time an incumbent U.S. president led troops in the field. The rebellion collapsed without battle after the show of force, and some rebels were tried but later pardoned
- On November 19, 1794, the United States and Great Britain signed the Jay Treaty, which aimed to resolve lingering issues from the Revolutionary War and maintain peace and trade between the two nations. The treaty was controversial but helped avoid war and secured British evacuation of forts in the Northwest Territory
- Other notable U.S. events include the founding of Fort Wayne in Indiana on October 22 and the dedication of the St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans on December 23. Additionally, the Great New Orleans Fire on December 8 destroyed over 200 buildings in the French Quarter
France:
- The Reign of Terror, a period of extreme political repression during the French Revolution, ended in July 1794 with the arrest and execution of Maximilien Robespierre and many of his associates. This period was marked by mass executions and widespread fear, with about 17,000 officially executed and many more arrested or dying in prison
Other International Events:
- Several battles related to the ongoing conflicts in Europe took place, including the Battle of Aldenhoven (October 2) between French and Austrian forces, the Battle of Maciejowice (October 10) where Russian forces defeated Polish insurgents, and the Battle of Praga (November 4) where Russian forces captured a suburb of Warsaw during the Kościuszko Uprising
These events highlight 1794 as a year of significant military, political, and social upheaval in both the United States and Europe.
