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Tariff of Abominations
The Tariff of Abominations, also known as the 1828 Tariff Act, was a U.S. protective tariff that imposed high import duties on foreign goods. It disproportionately affected the Southern states, which relied on agriculture and opposed the tariff. The tariff itself aimed for the industrialization of the North, which would lessen America's dependence on foreign commerce, and further their ability to keep commerce within the U.S. -
South Carolina Exposition and Protest
The South Carolina Exposition was a crucial political document by John C. Calhoun. It opposed the Tariff of 1828, a high protective tariff passed by the Congress. Calhoun argued that states had the right to nullify federal laws they considered unconstitutional asserting the doctrine of nullification. He also suggested that the Constitution was a compact among sovereign states, and that states could interpose themselves between the federal government and their citizens to protect their interests. -
Tariff of 1832
The Tariff of 1832 was a United States tariff law that aimed to address concerns over protectionism and sectional tensions. It lowered costs from the controversial Tariff of 1828 but still faced opposition in the Southern states. South Carolina declared the right to nullify federal laws within its borders, escalating tensions with the federal government. The crisis was eventually resolved through a compromise, but it highlighted the growing divide between the North and the South. -
The Ordinance of Nullification
The Ordinance of Nullification, passed by South Carolina claimed that certain federal tariffs were unconstitutional and unenforceable within the state. The Nullification Ordinance of South Carolina declared that the tariffs instituted previously (both 1828 and 1832) were null and void within the state of South Carolina and that they would not be enforced. Additionally, it stated that any attempt by the federal government to collect these tariffs within the state would be met with resistance. -
Jacksons Proclamation Against Nullification
Andrew Jackson's Proclamation Against Nullification, issued in 1832, firmly denounced the idea that a state could defy federal laws. He declared that nullification was unconstitutional and a threat to the Union, vowing to use force if necessary to uphold federal authority. Jackson's proclamation emphasized the supremacy of the federal government and its duty to enforce the laws of the land, making it clear that nullification would not be tolerated. -
Force Bill
The Force Bill gave President Andrew Jackson the authority to use military force, if necessary, to compel South Carolina's compliance with federal law. It was a response to South Carolina's declaration of the nullification of federal tariffs and its threat to resist federal enforcement efforts. This bill also included the authority to call up state militias if necessary to suppress any resistance to federal authority. Overall, this bill was primarily used to diminish the resistance of the south. -
South Carolina Repeal
South Carolina withdrew its Nullification Ordinance, thus ending its defiance of federal tariffs. South Carolina repealed nullification as a result of a combination of economic incentives, diplomatic negotiations, the threat of military force, and a recognition of the importance of national unity. These factors collectively led the state to step back from its nullification stance and comply with federal law. -
Compromise Tariff
The Compromise Tariff gradually reduced high protective tariffs that had sparked the nullification crisis. Under the compromise, tariff rates would be lowered over a period of several years, addressing some of South Carolina's economic concerns. This legislative compromise was designed to ease tensions, encourage compliance with federal law, and prevent a potential armed conflict. The tariff allowed for constantly rising tensions between the South and North to be peacefully resolved.