Nullification Crisis

Tariff of Abomination

May 19, 1828

The Tariff of Abomination was made to protect the industries in America by enforcing tariffs but mostly British imported goods which would lead to prices being higher. However, this upset the Southern states because they relied on imported goods and for them, this was an economic disadvantage. It led to the Nullification Crisis of 1832.

South Carolina Exposition and Protest

Dec 1, 1828

The South Carolina Exposition and Protest was written by John Calhoun. He wrote this in response to the Tariff of Abominations, stating that the tariffs were unconditional and harmful to the Southern states. This also allowed the states to have the right to nullify any federal law that they saw as unfair and they would be able to take action if the federal government didn't want to fix it. It also leads to the Nullification crisis.

The Tariff of 1832

Jul 14, 1832

The Tariff of 1832 was an attempt to address the Southern grievances which were imposed by the Tariff of 1828. This new tariff in South Carolina almost led to a civil war.

Ordinance of Nullification

Nov 24, 1832

This Ordinance of Nullification declared that the tariffs of 1828 and 1832 were unconstitutional and null. It stated that the states would be able to enforce the tariffs and threaten to leave the union if they were imposed by force, this created a conflict between both the federal and the states.

Jackson's Proclamation of Nullification

Dec 10, 1832

Jackson had rejected the South Carolina Ordinance of Nullification because how since the federal law was above anyone else they would be able to enforce laws. He also warned the people of South Carolina that if they tried to defy the federal law or stop the enforcement they would have to deal with the consequences.

Compromise Tariff of 1833

Mar 2, 1833

The Compromise Tariff of 1833 was a legislative measure to fix the Nullification Crisis which was written by Henry Clay and John Calhoun. This compromise reduced tariff rates over the next decade.

Force Bill

Mar 2, 1833

Force Bill permitted President Andrew Jackson to be able to use military force to enforce federal tariffs in South Carolina, it also gave him the power to deploy any of the troops to make sure that they followed the law.

Repeal of Nullification

Mar 15, 1833

The Repeal of Nullification was by South Carolina, this was after the compromise tariff of 1833. It reduced the tariff rates and the Southern grievance with the tariffs. The end of the Nullification Crisis helped restore the federal authority in South Carolina.