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Tariff of Abomination
In 1828, a protective tariff was issued upon imported goods/certain raw materials, increasing their tax. This bill was beneficial to the Northern market, the manufacturing central economy being competed with by cheaper British imports. This tariff helped to make sure goods were purchased from the states' own economy rather than Great Britain. However, the south relied on these imports, the taxes effectively crippling them in favor of the Northern states. This caused discord within the South. -
Tariff of 1832
This tariff was enacted due to the outrage caused by the 1828 tariff. It basically served to lessen the already high taxes on the imported goods/raw materials as to appease the anger of the South but leave in the tariff. The southerners, however were still not pleased with the lowering of the tax, which of course eventually resulted in the nullification crisis, a battle between South Carolina and the federal government as they were most effected by the tariffs. -
Ordinance of Nullification
The Ordinance of Nullification was an act passed by South Carolina in attempts to declare the previous tariffs of 1828/1832 null and void as well as unconstitutional. This act was based upon Vice President Calhoun, who made a doctrine of nullification after resigning to speak on SC's behalf. This promoted yet another argument for states rights and the rights of the federal government, a basis for the Civil War. The ordinance required many state officeholders to swear to support the ordinance. -
Proclamation of South Carolina
Seeing the Ordinance of Nullification, Jackson decided to take matters into his own hands and issue a proclamation to South Carolina which asserted the supremacy of federal law over state law, and accompanied the force bill. It also warned that what they were attempting to do was treason, "disunion by armed force." Of course, South Carolina being South Carolina was rather upset about this, and invoked their right to secede. -
Compromise Tariff 1833
So, in regards to the growing threat of South Carolina throwing a hissy fit and seceding Henry Clay helped to create a compromise that would prevent this from happening. Basically, it promised to not get rid of the tariff right off, but rather slowly get rid of it as time went on as to return it to a manageable price. It also helped get rid of duty on raw materials crucial to American industry and made it so duties had to be paid in cash. This prevented war between SC and the Union, for now. -
Force Bill
The Force bill allowed the President to have the power to enforce the collection of import duties via the military in the event the state was not complying. This proved that Federal law was supreme over state law. However, this bill was rather temporary, only lasting until the end of the next congressional session. The combination of this and the lowering of the duties needed to be paid was effective in avoiding war.