Why did the tax provoke such strong resistance when it benefited the nation as a whole

It had negative effects on the farmers of the country.

Explanation:

A compulsory financial charge or duty imposed by the government over its citizens in order to fund public facilities is known as a Tax.

As the tax had negative effects on the farmers of the country, it provokes a strong resistance despite the very fact that it benefits the nation as a whole. Many of the backcountry farmers began processing their corn into whiskey because the other corn products were not of enough value to justify the cost of transport to eastern markets. Therefore, the farmers found it difficult to pay the taxes while others refused to pay it by claiming that it led to a sharp reduction in their income.