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The Tariff of Abominations (or, the Tariff of 1828)
The Tariff of 1828 was a protective tariff, aimed at raising taxes on imported goods in order to reduce foreign competition and protect American industry. The south did not like this tariff, saying that it unfairly benefited the North (since the north was predominantly industry); furthermore, the South argued that it raised the cost of their living. As a result, southern states were against the tariif. South Carolina declared that the act was unconstitutional and proposed nullification. -
South Carolina Exposition and Protest
Calhoun proposed that the state has the right to challenge a federal law. Second time a challenge to federal law. Calhoun was a nationalist, but became a sectionalist. Concerned about south, specifically South Carolina. -
The Webster-Hayne Debates
Occurs in Congress. Hayne was a Senator of South Carolina and argued the states' rights position where states can reject federal laws; however, Webster was a senator who argued the federal government's supremacy over the states, from Massachusetts. -
Tariff of 1832
The Tariff of 1832 was a response to the grievances South Carolina had against the Tariff of 1828. It reduced or eliminated some of the protective measures adopted in 1828's tariff. South Carolina was still not happy about the tariff. Vice President Calhoun, Senator Hayne, and SC governor James Hamilton formed a convention to respond to the amended tariff. The convention declared an ordinance to nullify certain acts of Congress, specifically the Tariff of 1832, as being unconstitutional. -
South Carolina Ordinance of Nullification
South Carolina, angry at the Tariffs of 1828 and 1832, enacted an ordinance declaring the tariffs as being null and void, as being unconstitutional. And, if the federal government attempted to enforce the tariffs, South Carolina threatened that they would secede from the Union. The Nullification Crisis began officially with this act. Andrew Jackson was furious and passed a bill known as the Force Bill of 1833 in order to force South Carolina to abide by the tariffs. -
Nullification Proclamation
Andrew Jackson, angry at South Carolina for refusing to abide by the Tariffs passed by Congress, issued a proclamation to South Carolina that disputes a states' right to nullify federal laws, saying that states cannot nullify a federal law; in this instance, the tariffs of 1828 and 1832. Andrew Jackson believed that only the Supreme Court had the power and authority to nullify and deem unconstitutional federal legislation. He supported states' rights but saw the ability to nullify as too far. -
Force Act of 1833
The Force Act of 1833 was passed by Congress that gave the President the ability to use the military to enforce the Tariffs passed by Congress. If a state, in this case South Carolina, goes against the federal tariffs, then the President can use military force to make them pay the duties imposed by the tariffs. To prevent conflict, Henry Clay and Vice President John C. Calhoun introduced the Compromise Tariff of 1833. -
The Compromise Tariff of 1833
The Compromise Tariff of 1833 was proposed by Clay and Calhoun to put an end to the Nullification Crisis, for Civil War was on the horizon. This new tariff reduced the taxes on imported goods slowly until 1842. This new tariff gave Southerners a relief while still providing protection for American industry. Coupled with the Force Act, the desired results were achieved, and South Carolina soon revoked their Ordinance of Nullification. The Nullification Crisis ended with this compromise.