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John C. Calhoun.
John C. Calhoun, the states leading politician, declared that states had the right to nullify oppressive national legislation in his South Carolina Exposition and Protest. He did this because he believed in the idea that the federal government should not possess the power to impose powers that could harm the states' interests. -
Jacksons confrontation.
Near the end of Jacksons term, he was forced to confront South Carolina on the issue of the protective tariff. South Carolina had felt that all the benefits of protection went to the northern manufacture's, leaving them poor in agriculture. So, SC had hoped the Jackson would use his power to modify the 1828 act called the Tariff of Abomination. -
Revision of the 1828 Tariff downward.
In November 1832, Congress passed a bill that revised the 1828 tariff downward. This however was not enough to satisfy the citizens of SC, causing the state to adopt an ordinance of nullification that declared both tariffs, 1828 and 1832, nonexistent within the state. -
Charleston
Jackson sent seven small naval vessels and a man-of-war to Charleston in response to SC legislature passing the laws to enforce their new ordinance, this was reviewed as a threat. -
A resounding proclamation
Jackson decided to issue a resounding proclamation against the nullifiers because he believed the concept of nullification was threatening the union. He decided to appeal to the people and even offered to lead the U.S. army to enforce the law. -
Henry Clay
Henry Clay was Jacksons political rival. He was an advocate of protection, but he was also a unionist. In 1833 Clay's tariff bill was passed. The bill specified that all the duties in excess of 20 percent of the value of the goods imported was going to be reduced each year, this was so that by 1842 the duties on all articles would reach the level of the moderate tariff of 1816. -
SC rescinding its action.
By March 1833 SC was revoking their actions since they felt isolated. Both sided ended up claiming victory, Jackson defend the union and SC obtained most of their demands because of their resistance and it also managed to demonstrate that a single state could force its will upon Congress. -
The Force Act
Congress passed a force act. This authorized the president to use military power to enforce the laws. This was in response to SC ordinance of nullification. The force act was to affirm the authority of the federal government.