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The Tariff of 1824
This tariff was a tax on British imports such as iron products, wool and cotton textiles, and agricultural goods. The British products were typically less expensive and hence more popular in America. This popularity led the US government to instate this tariff, in order to protect American industry. This caused an upset across America, especially for the southern Democrats, and led to more tariffs in the future. -
The Tariff of 1828
Otherwise known as the Tariff of Abominations, this tariff was again placed by the US government to protect American industry, specifically in the North. This tariff was placed due to the cheaper European prices, which the North could not compete with. The Southern Democrats were now forced to buy from the Northern Whigs rather than Europe. The South saw this tariff as extremely unfair, because it led to the success of the Whigs while it punished the Democrats. -
The South Carolina Exposition
As a protest to the Tariff of 1828, John C. Calhoun, a Democrat, wrote the South Carolina Exposition. This document was written to express the South's distress over this unjust tariff, which they believed to be unconstitutional. Calhoun stated that unless this tariff was repealed, South Carolina would secede the union. With this, Calhoun brought up the democratic idea of state powered nullification, first brought up in the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions. -
Tariff of 1832
The Tariff of 1832 was instated under Andrew Jackson's presidency, in response to the protests to the Tariff of 1828. This tariff was still a protective tariff but it allowed the already existing tariffs to be lowered. This was instated in hopes to please the South, while still maintaining American industry's success. However, the South were not appeased, especially not South Carolina, and this tariff would further influence the Nullification Crisis. -
South Carolina Nullification
South Carolina had had enough at this point, after all of the extensively unfair tariffs set in place.This idea of nullification, was suggested by the angry southern Democrats. It caused South Carolina to completely ignore the high tariffs imposed by the US government. The Democrats simply acted as if there was no tariff set in place. -
Jackson's Proclamation against Nullification
Jackson's Proclamation was written in response to the threat of South Carolina nullification. In this document, Jackson made it clear that state nullification is unconstitutional and that states cannot secede from the Union. He also called on Congress to instate a Force Act, which guaranteed military action if the tariffs were not paid. Although Jackson was elected by southern Democrats, he was now turning against them to maintain the union. -
Hayne's Counter Proclamation
Governor of South Carolina, Robert Y. Haynes issued a counter proclamation to Jackson's Proclamation against nullification. This countered Jackson's arguments that nullification is unconstitutional; Hayne's stated that if a state is being oppressed by a law then they have the right to declare a law null and void. Even when Jackson began to rile troops, Hayne continued to ignore the tariffs. -
Force Bill
The Force Bill was enacted by Congress due to the growing opposition in South Carolina, as well as Andrew Jackson's request to Congress. This bill, ensured that the government could take military action if a tariff was not being paid. This threatened the South Carolina democrats who refused to pay these expensive tariffs. -
Clay's Compromise
Henry Clay came up with a compromise in response to the Force Bill. His compromise would bring a gradual end to the tariffs, every year for 8 years, the tariff prices would be lowered by 10%. This compromise was passed by Congress. Although this compromise wasn't as great as the South had desired, they still considered it a small victory. -
South Carolina Repeal of Nullification
As part of Henry Clay's Compromise, South Carolina repealed their many nullification on high tariffs. The democrats were appeased with the lowering of tariffs, ending the Nullification conflict for now. This conflict though, was a warning or foreshadow to the US Civil War.
