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Tariff of 1828
On May 18th, 1828, President John Adams approved the Tariff of 1828. This tariff aimed to protect American manufacturing in the North by sky-rocketing the cost of imported, foreign goods (British goods). It inflated the cost of these goods up to 50%, creating distress in the South. Southerners, who depended on these British imports, were quick to express their anger. Effect:
The Tariff angered the Southerners and divided the Nation into two groups: supporters of the tariff and nullifiers. -
South Carolina Exposition and Protest
In 1828 Vice President John C. Calhoun created documents that objected the Tariff. Calhoun explained his support for nullification, which granted states the right to reject laws they deemed unconstitutional. He wrote that the Constitution allowed Congress to only impose laws to raise revenue, and the Tariff did more than just that.
Effect: While South Carolina's legislature did not accept the Exposition and Protest, it was significant in opening up the idea of Nullification to the people. -
The Tariff of 1832
The Tariff of 1832 was created by Andrew Jackson to respond to Calhoun's documents. This tariff agreed to lower the tax rate from 45% to 35% in order to settle the dispute, but South Carolinians remained unpleased. Effect:
In reply to this new tariff, the South Carolina legislature held a convention that passed the Ordinance of Nullification. Their goal: to influence the President to side with them and remove the tariff for good. It continued to pave the way for the Civil War. -
South Carolina's Ordinance of Nullification
"Nullifiers" in South Carolina declared the tariff acts from 1828 and 1832 unconstitutional. The state felt deeply that the tariffs favored Northern states and placed financial strain on those in the South. They threatened to leave the Union and created the ordinance of nullification: a piece of literature that demanded the acts to be taken down. Effect:
President Andrew Jackson issued a "Proclamation to the People of South Carolina", declaring his right to keep these acts set in stone. -
Jackson's Proclamation of Nullification
Refusing to agree to South Carolina's request, President Jackson created a Declaration that defended the constitutionality of the Tariff. It reasserted the President's idea that states were not allowed to nullify federal laws. He threatened the state harshly: threatening to involve force and military. Effect:
Jackson's Proclamation increased the anger of South Carolina. With their rejection of the proclamation, Jackson created the Force Act which heightened the chance of a Civil War. -
The Force Act
As President Jackson's anger continued to rise due to backlash from South Carolina, he initiated the Force Act. This bill granted the U.S. military permission to use force against the state in order to enforce the law. It forced South Carolinians to pay custom duties, established jail cells for those who went against the law, and all-in-all asserted force. Effect:
The Force Act significantly heightened the chance of Civil War. If even one state argued against the act, a war would ensue. -
Compromise Tariff of 1833
Brokered by Sen. Henry Clay, the Compromise Tariff was quickly created in an attempt to avoid a Civil War from ensuing. The tariff reduced a majority of tariffs down to 20% of the products value, reducing others by 10% yearly. Effects:
Ready to be done with the Force Bill, all states agreed to the compromise. South Carolina gave in, accepting Clay's decision. It was significant in avoiding a potential Civil War, putting an end to the tension between the North and South.