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Tariff of Abomination
South Carolina dubbed the Tariff of 1828 "Tariff of Abomination" because they believed it benefited the North and left agricultural South Carolina poorer. This tariff was passed to protect northern and western agricultural products from the competition with foreign imports however, this raised the cost of living in the South. -
Webster Hayne Debate
Daniel Webster argues nationalism over the federal government of the states. He argued that states can nullify federal government laws. Hayne argues that states can reject federal law. -
South Carolina Exposition and Protest and Tariff of 1832
John Calhoun argued that the state has the right to nullify federal law. This established states' right to nullify oppressive national legislation. This made Congress revise the tariff of 1828 and it had now become the Tariff of 1832. This tariff tried to resolve the conflict that was created by the tariff of 1828 but the South still opposed it. -
Ordinance of Nullification
This Ordinance declared that both the tariffs of 1828 and 1832 were null and void within state borders. The legislature passed laws to enforce this ordinance which included authorization for raising a military force and gave rights to carry. -
Jackson Proclamation to the People of South Carolina
This proclamation disputed a states' right to nullify a federal law. Jackson warned South Carolina that it stood on "the brink of insurrection and treason" and that the people of the states must reassert their allegiance to the Union. He also warned that he will use the U.S. Army to enforce the law if needed. -
Clay's (Compromise) Tariff Bill and the Force Act
Clay's tariff was passed as a compromise that specified that all duties in excess of 20 percent of the value of the food imported were to be reduced year by year. This was in hopes that by 1842 the duties on all articles would reach the level of the moderate tariff of 1816. The Force Act authorized the president to use military power to enforce laws.