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The Tariff of 1824
Built upon a previous protective tariff, this tariff raised rates and included more products under its protection. The north and the west supported the tariff due to the industry benefiting from it, and they banded against the south who did not support it as they wanted to be able to buy cheaper goods from Britain. -
The Tariff of 1828
This tariff built again upon protection of American industry, but it cut into New England profits and increased the Southern cost of living. The Vice President, John C. Calhoun, took action calling for nullification of the bill, which gained support in the South, and some in New England, as they were the ones affected by the tariff. -
The South Carolina Exposition
John C. Calhoun wrote this anonymously in response to the Tariff of Abominations, and it called the tariff unconstitutional as it unfairly benefited the North and not the South, gaining support from the South and publishing the document through the South Carolina government, enforcing the principle of nullification. -
The Tariff of 1832
This tariff was an attempt to pacify the South by reducing the rates on existing tariffs, but this compromise failed to appease the South, and they continued to speak out against protective tariffs. -
South Carolina Nullification
The South Carolina legislature took John C. Calhoun's exposition and put it into practice with the Ordinance of Nullification, declaring the tariffs of 1828 and 1832 as null and void. This was supported by the South, but South Carolina was the only state who took up nullification, inspired by the Virginia and Kentucky resolutions. -
Jackson's Proclamation Against Nullification
Disputed a state's rights to nullify an act of Congress, which would upset southern states that supported state's rights, specifically South Carolina who was the one state calling for nullification in the first place. -
Hayne's Counter Proclamation
Governor Hayes of South Carolina responded to Jackson's proclamation by stating that a state could nullify a law if it was oppressed by it. After Jackson prepared to send troops to South Carolina, Hayes continued advocating for nullification, increasing tension. -
Force Bill
The bill extended the power of the executive branch, authorizing military force against non-compliant states in response to South Carolina's insistence on nullification of federally placed tariffs. This generated further discontent in the south, primarily South Carolina, where nullification rights of the state were heavily advocated for. -
Clay's Compromise
Henry Clay proposed the Tariff of 1833 to decrease the severity of the Nullification Crisis, and he was supported by John C. Calhoun. The tariff promised to gradually lower tariff rates up until 1842, where they would be the same as the original protective tariff of 1816. This compromise worked well between the federal government and the south who opposed tariffs, working to end the Nullification Crisis. -
South Carolina Repeal of Nullification
South Carolina repealed its previous proclamation of nullification in response to Clay's Compromise, settling the debate, though the state nullified the Force Bill right thereafter as a "symbolic gesture."
