Nullification Crisis (1828-1833)

Tariff of Abomination

May 19, 1828

The Tariff Act of 1828, also referred to as the "Tariff of Abominations", was made to protect the industries in America by enforcing high tariffs on mostly British imported goods, which led to higher priced goods. This upset the Southern states because they relied on those imported goods and saw this as an economic disadvantage. This act led to the Nullification Crisis of 1832. The Southerners challenged that the tariffs were unconstitutional.

South Carolina Exposition and Protest

Dec 1, 1828

The "South Carolina Exposition and Protest", was written by John C. Calhoun in response to the Tariff of Abominations. He argued the fact that the tariffs were unconstitutional and harmful to the Southern states. He explained how states had the right to nullify any federal law that they saw as unfair, and that they would take action if the federal government did not fix these things. This document very quickly escalated the Nullification Crisis.

Tariff of 1832

Jul 14, 1832

This Tariff was an "update" to the original Tariff of 1828. This one had a lot less to it as to try and address and fix some of the problems the Southern States were complaining about. Even though this Tariff reduced the high tariff rates the Southern states were not happy. In 1833 the compromise tariff ended up resolving this crisis.

Ordinance of Nullification

Nov 24, 1832

The South Carolina legislature passed the "Ordinance of Nullification" which declared that the Tariffs of 1828 and 1832 were unconstitutional and therefore were null and void in South Carolina. It stated how the state would not enforce the tariffs and threatened to leave the Union if they were imposed by force. This made a very big conflict between federal authority and the states.

Jacksons Proclamation

Dec 10, 1832

In Jackson's Proclamation, he rejects South Carolina's Ordinance of Nullification and explains how the federal law was supreme above all else and could enforce the laws. He warned them that if they tried to defy the federal law or try and stop the enforcement of tariffs they would be met with force and that the Union's preservation was an important priority. He explained that the states could not nullify any federal laws.

Force Bill

Mar 2, 1833

The Force Bill permitted President Andrew Jackson to use military force to enforce the federal tariffs in South Carolina. This was responding to South Carolina defying them and not paying and declaring the tariffs null and void. It gave Jackson the power to deploy any troops necessary to make sure that they followed the laws.

Compromise Tariff of 1833

Mar 2, 1833

The Compromise Tariff was a legislative measure made to try and fix the Nullification Crisis happening at the time. This was made by Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun and it reduced tariff rates gradually over the next decade or so to try and make the Southern states more satisfied. This Compromise eased mentions between the Southern states and the federal government by addressing the concerns of the South and keeping federal authority.

Repeal of Nullification Ordinance

Mar 15, 1833

The Ordinance of Nullification was repealed on March 15, 1833, by South Carolina. This was done after the Compromise Tariff of 1833 as it reduced the tariff rates and was able to address the Southern state's grievances with the Tariffs and economics. This repeal marked the end of the Nullification Crisis and helped to restore the federal authority in South Carolina.