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Tariffs of Abominations
Was created to attempt to protect the north and the west from having to compete with foreign imports. It also helped raise money for the government. It taxed foreign goods, which consequently raised the costs of many things for the people of the South. People of the South felt that the Tariff was unfair because the only people it protected were the manufacturers in the North. South Carolina threatened to secede if something wasn't done about reducing the tariffs. -
South Carolina Exposition and Protest ~ Vice President John C. Calhoun (from South Carolina)
Claimed that the states had the right to reject laws made by the federal government. Calhoun opted for nullification, rather than the dire idea of seceding. He got the states to ponder on whether or not the taxing of importation that was only created to create revenue was considered unconstitutional. Written in secret during the time of Jackson’s presidency and during his run as Vice President. He resigned as Vice President the same month (December). -
Webster/Hayne Debates
Webster -Argues the point of nationalism, authority of federal government over state government
Hayne- argues states rights to nullify laws, states position in government -
Tariff of 1832
Replaced the Tariffs of Abominations to try and pacify the Southerners. Congress was encouraged to lower the tariffs by the influence of Calhoun and Henry Clay. They revised the tariff to be brought down to the tax of 35% instead of 50%. The Southerners/ South Carolinians were still not satisfied. -
Ordinance of Nullification (1832)
South Carolina threatened to secede from the Union if the federal government tried to enforce the tariffs. It considered that the tariffs from 1828 and 1832 were null and void within South Carolina's state borders. The governor of South Carolina even goes as far as suggesting the raising of an army to carry out the secession. -
Proclamation to the People of South Carolina /// Jackson’s Nullification Proclamation
Andrew Jackson claimed that South Carolina was on “The Brink of insurrection and treason”. He issues this as a warning and claimed he was prepared to use military force to put down the protest and carry out the federal laws of the United States. This was in response to the Ordinance of Nullification and other protests. He claims that the nullification and seceding that they are trying to do is a violation of the Constitution. -
Force Bill
Congress extended the power of the President so that he could use military power/force to enforce the tariffs/laws. Overall, the Force Bill abnegated/denied the idea that any individual state had the rights to secede or be able to nullify any federal law/tax/etc. -
Compromise Tariff /// Nullification Crisis Conclusion
Both sides in a way got what they wanted. The South Carolina Government got the tariff changed and showed the rest of the US that one state can get what they want by forcing Congress. The Union was kept intact by Jackson. The tariff tax rates would slowly lower over a ten year period. This tariff plan was proposed by Henry Clay, the Great Compromiser of the 1800s. The Nullification crisis ended. The American System was in the makings by Henry Clay. South Carolina revoked their actions.