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The Tariff of Abominations
While tariffs were put in place to protect American industry, the Tariff of Abominations was a tariff which slowly increase over time leading it to only benefit north and north-western states. Due to it raising the duties of raw materials by fifty-percent in some cases. This high tariff would hurt southern states sales of tobacco and cotton. -
South Carolina's Exposition and Protest
Written by the Vice President John C. Calhoun, it stated that the tariff was unconstitutional due to the tariff being used to protect industry and commerce and not strictly to raise money for the government. This belief of it being unconstitutional lead to the proposal of nullification and having the ability to succeed. While Considered by the South Carolina Legislature its ideas were not implemented until four years later. -
Webster-Hayne Debate
The debate between Massachusetts Senator Daniel Webster and South Carolina Senator Robert Hayne would open debate on the Tariff of 1828 and Nullification, with Hayne arguing that states have the right to nullify rulings and laws when they deem them to be unconstitutional. Even seeing it in a states rights to succeed to guarantee the liberties and freedom of it's people. Webster argued that succeeding wouldn't lead to freedom because without the Union there is no guaranteed freedom. -
The Tariff of 1832
In 1832 a lowered tariff with less protections was put in place to appease South Carolina. This tariff lowered duties from fifty-percent to around 30-percent. Despite the significant decrease South Carolina was not on board. -
The Ordinance of Nullification
Still upset with tariffs the South Carolina government drafted the Ordinance of Nullification, which declared the tariffs null and void. It also claimed it would not pay the collections on the tariffs and any force against them to-do so would lead them to succeed from the Union. -
Nullification Proclamation
Andrew Jackson responded to the Ordinance of Nullification by calling it unconstitutional and treasonous. He then threatened to collect the dues with force if necessary -
Clay's Tariff and Force Act
In order to reach a compromise between South Carolina and the issue of tariffs, Henry Clay created a bill which would reduce all tariffs in excess of twenty-percent of the good value year by year. Until they reached the level of the original tariff in 1816. The force act was signed into law on the same date and granted the President the ability to enact the army to collect duties on imports. This formally ended the nullification crisis.