Nullification Crisis

  • The Tariff of 1828

    The Tariff of 1828 was a protective tariff for Western and Northern goods but left Southern goods such as tobacco and cotton unprotected. In retaliation to this tariff, foreign markets closed their doors to American Cotton.
  • Reopening of the debate

    The Tariff, after being largely forgotten about, was brought back into the senate floor by the South Carolina Senator Robert Hayne and the Massachusetts Senator Daniel Webster.
  • Denunciation of the Tariff

    Following Jackson's re-election in 1832, South Carolina formed a convention that denounced the Tariff of Abominations, later adopting the Ordinance of Nullification. The Ordinance then declared that any force used against South Carolina from Congress would prompt South Carolina to secede from America and become independent.
  • Tariff Reductions

    Because of Jackson's threats, South Carolina slowed their enactment of the Ordinances that they put into effect. In response to this, Jackson supported Henry Clay's efforts to lower the Tariffs that began the crisis in the first place. Once the Tariff reductions were passed by Congress, South Carolina rescinded the Ordinance of Nullification and the crisis passed.
  • Jackson's force bill

    After South Carolina denounced the Tariff, Jackson advised his Secretary of War Lewis Cass to prepare for war, enlisted a militia in preparation of enforcing the Tariff, and gave speeches to Congress to reaffirm his power to ensure the execution of Federal Laws.