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The Tariff of 1824
The first tariff was put on the American people after the War of 1812 and was increased in 1824. The South got more upset each time the tariff was increased to try and help promote American manufacturing. This was because they were losing money on their items and having to pay more for American products. The North, on the other hand, were for the tariff and liked how it benefited them. They supported it each time it was increased because it would increase profits for themselves. -
The Tariff of 1828
The Tariff of 1816 and 1824 increased again. This is when the tax became the Tariff of Abominations. John Quincy Adams has passed it to even better protect American manufacturing from British competition. The North was for it because they received more money and the South did not appreciate it because they had to pay higher prices and lost money from British importation. This further increased tensions between the North and South. -
The South Carolina Exposition
This was written by John C. Calhoun in 1828. He originally was unable to sign his name to the document because he was still the Vice President of the United States. He talked about nullifying the Tariff of Abominations because it was unconstitutional and unfair for the South to have to pay a tariff that did not benefit them and made them lose money. The South was for this because they did not want to pay the heavy tariffs and the North disagreed because they gained money from the tariffs. -
The Tariff of 1832
This tariff was an attempt to compromise with the South. Jackson was going to lower the other tariffs placed on British imports to the original 1816 prices. However, the Southerns did not want it measly reduced, but instead wanted it repealed altogether. Even though the prices were being dropped, they still had a problem with Jackson and the tariffs. The North got upset with this as well because the tariff was lessened, which would lose money for their manufacturing. -
South Carolina Nullification
South Carolina convened to discuss nullification some more. They decided that the tariffs of 1828 and 1832 were unconstitutional and that they should not have to pay the taxes. The South agreed with the nullification since it was unfair to enforce something that does not benefit them and the North disagreed because they felt like everyone needs to pay their share of the tariff since the president mandated it and the president was a Southern man. -
Jackson's Proclamation Against Nullification
In response to South Carolina's nullification, he threatened to invade South Carolina and hang everyone living there. He also says that the states do not have the right to nullify a federal law or tariff. The South were extremely angry by this statement since they believed they could nullify any law that seemed unconstitutional and the North was ecstatic because the South was acting out and deserved to be punished for their behavior. -
Hayne's Counter proclamation
Robert Y. Hayne created the counter-proclamation to Andrew Jackson's about nullification. He argued that once again, if a law is unconstitutional a state can choose to nullify said law. He also continued to ignore the tariff and not pay it even after Jackson's threat. He could back up this up with the Kentucky and Virginia resolutions. The South stood behind Hayne's proclamation because it protected their state rights and the North supported Jackson, in that states cannot nullify a federal law. -
Clay's Compromise
After hearing all of the bickering between the South and Jackson, Henry Clay, the Great Compromiser, decided to ignore his opinions and create a compromise bill. It would be called the Tariff of 1833, he said the Tariff of 1832 would be reduced by 10% over a period of 8 years. By 1842, it would down to its 1816 tariff levels. This caused a lot of fury in the North because they are losing the protectiveness of the tariff for their industries, but the South were excited about the dropping prices. -
Force Bill
After lowering the tariff again to try and pacify the South, he asked congress if he could pass a force bill. This would be used to require South Carolina to pay the tariff. If he had to, he would use force to get his point across that nullification and secession were not tolerated. The South were mortified with the bill and they now have no way to get around paying the tariffs and North were upset with the lowering of prices but pleased by the South having to pay the tariff. -
South Carolina Repeal of Nullification
With the ideas of civil war roaming around, the same convention that convened to declare nullification, convened again to repeal the ordinance of nullification. This would appease the North and Jackson since South Carolina is now agreeing to pay the tariff. The rest of the South was relieved since they were worried of a civil war.
