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Tariff of 1824
This was meant to be a protective tariff to try and deter British goods and promote consumption of American goods.
The National Republicans, in their support of Clay's American System, also supported this bill, hoping it would help stimulate the American economy.
The Democrats, who had a large southern base, opposed this bill, which made the prices of their manufactured equipment, mainly bought from Britain, more expensive. -
Tariff of 1828
Also known as the Tariff of Abominations, this tariff increased the duties collected on imported goods to about 45%, an substantial increase to its predecessor.
The Democrats were furious, since this made the prices of their imported goods so high many could barely afford them, such as clothes.
The National Republicans were fine with the tariff still, since it promoted the consumption of Northern goods inline with the American System. -
The South Carolina Exposition
John C. Calhoun, Jackson's Vice President at the time, anonymously wrote this, nullifying the Tariff of 1828 and calling for the repeal of it within South Carolina or they would secede.
Nullifiers, which mainly consisted of Democrats from South Carolina, supported Calhoun, hoping this would establish the state right of nullification.
Whigs saw this as an attempt to weaken the American party and take away some of the federal government's powers. -
Tariff of 1832
The tariff succeeded the Tariff of 1828 with a lesser percentage of duties imposed on imports; however, it was still high, about 35%, which the South hated. This would trigger the Nullification Crisis.
The Nullifiers felt their cries over the Tariff of 1832 fell on deaf ears and that it still favored the North.
The National Republicans were hesitant to support the bill, but in the end did so, hoping it would continue to help the national economy/ -
South Carolina Nullification
In response to the Tariff of 1832, which was still too high for southerners, the South Carolina legislation, with heavy influence from Calhoun, passed the South Carolina Nullification Doctrine, declaring the tariff null and void within its borders
Nullifiers loved and hoped this would give the states the power of nullification.
National Republicans were unhappy, both because it lowered the incentive for Americans to buy from the Northern factories and weakened the federal government. -
Jackson's Proclamation Against Nullification
Jackson made this proclamation in response to the South Carolina Nullification Doctrine, declaring it unconstitutional and thus void.
State's rights Democrats and Nullifiers saw this as more proof that the tariffs and the federal government favored the North over the South, making their resolve even stronger.
The National Republicans, believed it was within the powers of president and was keeping the Union together, while also protecting the Northern industrial economy. -
Haynes' Counter Proclamation
South Carolina's governor Haynes appealed to Congress regarding Jackson's denouncement of his state's nullification of the tariffs, saying the states had the right to nullify any law they deemed unconstitutional.
Nullifiers saw this as a way to establish a precedent of states' right to nullify federal laws and supported Haynes in his endeavor.
National Republicans saw this as an attempt to challenge and weaken the federal government, along with set back the North's growing industrial economy. -
Force Bill
The Force Bill extended the president's power to allow for the use of the military to enforce the protective tariffs on the states, specifically South Carolina in response to their Nullification Doctrine.
Nulliers saw this as akin to making Jackson a king, able to use force to enact his personal will rather than serving the common man.
National Republicans saw this as a way to keep states in check and to give the federal government more power. -
Clay's Compromise
After pleading from Calhoun for help, Clay proposed a compromise bill, which would reduce the Tariff of 1832 by 10% over ten years.
Nullifiers, while not entirely happy, accepted this bill, since it was more tolerable than the previous two tariffs and meant they in a way accomplished their goal.
National Republicans weren't any more happy than the Nullifiers, but at least the protective tariff remained to stimulate the American economy. -
South Carolina Repeals Nullification
After the Compromise Bill was passed, South Carolina repealed the Nullification Doctrine as a symbol of peace and resolution with the federal government.
Nullifiers were okay with this, since they did succeed in lowering the tariff for the time being and in a way showed the states could influence the federal government.
National Republicans saw this as the federal government being successful in suppressing a rebellious state while not giving in entirely to their demands.
