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The Tariff of 1828
It protected the northern states' new industrial centers from competition from the more established manufacturing sectors of Europe. The tariff ended up increasing prices on manufactured goods in the South, and southerners were unwilling to suffer for the benefit of the north. This was also known as the Tariff of Abominations. This was done in order to hopefully reduce foreign competition in manufacturing for America. -
South Carolina Exposition and Protest
This protest was the cause of the doctrine of nullification and expressed the right of a state to reject federal laws. It also questioned whether it was constitutional or not to allow the taxing of imported goods without the motive of raising revenue. This was written and organized by John C. Calhoun. -
Henry-Webster Debate
It was between Robert Hayne (South Carolina Senator) and Daniel Webster (Massachusetts Senator). Hayne had supported Calhoun’s beliefs about nullification while Webster pointed towards the Constitution and its Supremacy Clause. Hayne believed that states should have the power to nullify federal law. However, Webster defended the Constitution and believed that they could go to federal court to amend the Constitution but not to nullify a federal law. -
Tariff of 1832
The Tariff of 1832 was passed in order to try to solve the problems created with the South because of the Tariff of Abominations. This reduced the tax rates again. However, this didn't have the effect that was hoped for, which led to the Nullification Crisis. (Known as protectionist tariff) and lowered the previous tariff. -
Ordinance of Nullification
The Ordinance of Nullification was passed by South Carolina. It stated that both the Tariff of 1828 and 1832 were considered unconstitutional and were, “null, void, and no law, nor binding upon this State, its officers or citizens.” This was written based on the doctrine that John C. Calhoun wrote on the nullification. Their legislature also passed laws to enforce their ordinance such as raising a military force. -
Jacksons Proclamation
Jackson's Proclamation was a proclamation against the Ordinance of Nullification. He wrote it to the people in South Carolina and urged them to back down from nullification. He pointed out that their government was pushing for nullification and that they wanted "disunion." He warned the people of the consequences that would follow if they continued to push for this. It simply reminded the state that they were close to treason. -
Compromise Tariff of 1833
The Compromise Tariff was the end of the Nullification Crisis once it was finally accepted by the South. With this is lowered the tariffs over the next decade. Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun came up with this compromise and got it passed. It specified that all duties in excess of 20 percent of the value of the goods imported were to be reduced year by year. -
Force Bill
The Force Bill was a bill passed by Congress, per President Jackson's order, that gave the president the power to use the military to enforce laws. It gave him the power to use the military to gather the import duties in a state if said state refused to abide by the federal tariffs.