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Tariff of 1828 (Tariff of Abominations)
This bill passed by John Q. Adams raised tariff rates as much as 50% on manufactured goods and for the first time targeted goods that were commonly imported into New England's industrial states. This also sealed his loss to Jackson. When Andrew Jackson became President the business and farming interests in the states wanted this act changed as they believed all of the protection went to the North leaving the South weaker and poorer. -
Election of 1828
Although this is not the complete beginning of the nullification crisis this is an important event that leads up to it. This was one of the dirtiest historical campaigns between Andrew Jackson and John Q. Adams. Names were drug and mudslinging was common, resulting in Jackson winning his Presidency in a landslide and John C. Calhoun becoming Vice President.
Picture Credit: https://edsitement.neh.gov/lesson-plans/lesson-4-1828-campaign-andrew-jackson-issues-election-1828-and-beyond -
South Carolina Exposition & Protest
John C. Calhoun, the state's leading politician, and the Vice President of Andrew Jackson declared that the states had the right to nullify legislation that oppressed the people. Written by Calhoun, this document protested the Tariff of Abominations.
Picture Credit: https://teachingamericanhistory.org/document/rough-draft-of-what-is-called-the-south-carolina-exposition/ -
Hayne-Webster Debates
This debate was between US senator Daniel Webster and Robert Hayne. Hayne asserted that the states had the right to nullify federal laws they believed were not in their best interest and control their own land, the constitution was a treaty or contract between states. Webster argued that the constitution should unite the people rather than be a treaty between sovereign states. There was no winner or loser in the debate.
Picture Credit: https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Webster%E2%80%93Hayne_debate -
Revision of the Tariff of 1828
This was a bill passed by Congress and signed by Jackson eliminating the worst parts of the Tariff of Abominations but it did not satisfy the wants of the South Carolina people. The new tariff was still not low enough.
Picture Credit: https://todayinhistory.blog/2021/05/18/may-19-1828-tariff-of-abominations/ -
Ordinance of Nullification
South Carolina called for a convention, and by a majority vote, the Ordinance of Nullification was adopted, which voided both the tariff of 1828 and 1832 within the state borders declaring them unconstitutional and therefore unenforceable. The state legislature passed laws to enforce this ordinance and authorized the military to be called upon if necessary. This was the first time a state actually attempted nullification.
Picture Credit: https://www.adamsmith.org/blog/the-tariff-of-abominations -
Proclamation to the People of South Carolina (Nullification Proclamation)
Jackson responded to South Carolina's ordinance by sending seven small naval ships and a man-of-war to Charleston on November 1832. Then on December 10 he issued this against the nullifiers stating the state was on the edge of treason, needed to reaffirm their allegiance to the Union, and also if needed he will personally lead the army to enforce the tariff.
Picture Credit: https://www.sethkaller.com/item/2123-21418.99-Andrew-Jackson%E2%80%99s-Proclamation-Responding-to-Nullification&from=12 -
Force Bill
After Jackson's proclamation was issued to the South Carolinians this bill was passed by Congress to authorize military force against states who resisted tariffs. This was giving the President the power to use whatever force he deems necessary to enforce tariffs on the federal level.
Picture Credit: https://www.sutori.com/item/1833-force-bill-the-force-bill-allowed-andrew-jackson-to-use-the-army-and-nav-0c93 -
The Compromise Tariff of 1833
This was a compromise bill sponsored by Henry Clay that was quickly passed. This bill specified that all duties over 20% of the imported goods value were to be reduced every year. South Carolina expected allies from the other states but were isolated so they rescinded there action and still received many of their demands and accepted the bill. This resolved the nullification crisis.
Picture Credit: https://www.senate.gov/art-artifacts/fine-art/paintings/32_00007.htm