Nullification Crisis

  • Tariff of Abominations

    • the goal was to protect young American industries in the North from cheap British imports.
    • People in the South opposed it - it would be increasing the price of good that they needed but that they could not produce. - lowered the demand of raw goods from Britain - affected them negativity
    • created a bigger rift between South and North
    • In response the South Carolina Exposition and Protest was published anonymously by John C. Calhoun.
  • South Carolina Exposition and Protest

    • Written by John C. Calhoun
    • opposed the Tariff of 1828 (Tariff of Abominations)
    • Advanced the doctrine of nullification
      • said a state had the right to nullify or ignore any federal laws that it felt were unconstitutional.
    • it ideas led to the Nullification Crisis of 1832-1833
  • Jefferson Day Dinner

    • First public celebration of Jefferson's birthday
      • over 150 people attended
    • Famous for Andrew Jackson's toast
      • Challenged Calhoun's ideals
      • "Our Union—it must be preserved!"
    • challenged nullification
  • Tariff of 1832

    • goal was to appease the South after the Tariff of Abominations
    • South still wasn't happy
      • it favored the North
    • Calhoun found it still wasn't what he wanted so he passed the Ordinance of Nullification
    • Jackson wasn't happy either
      • threatened to use military against South Carolina
      • asked congress to pas a force bill that would enforce the federal law
    • Led to the Compromise Tariff of 1833
  • South Carolina Nullification Ordinance

    • was made in response to the Tariff of 1832
    • declared the tariffs of 1828 and 1832 invalid to South Carolina
    • They also threatened secession if they are to be forced by the federal government to abide by these tariffs.
    • Congress still passed a force bill
  • Jackson's Nullification Proclamation

    • asserted that federal law was supreme over state law
    • purpose was to dispute South Carolina's claims
  • Compromise Tariff of 1833 and Force Bill

    • Gradually reduced tariff rates
    • force bill was enacted simultaneously - Authorized the President to use military force to enforce the tariffs
    • gave both sides a chance to back down - prevented potential civil war
  • South Carolina rescinds nullification

    • in return for the lowered tariffs, S.C. rescinded its ordinance of nullification