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The Tariff of Abominations of 1828
This tariff was passed by President Andrew Jackson in the spring of 1828 and it set very high duties on imported goods into the United States. The Southerners were very upset with this tariff because it was ruining them economically. The South was not big on manufacturing, hence, they needed goods imported from outside the U.S or from the North. This Tariff was designed to especially protect Northeastern manufacturers, but it negatively affected the South. -
South Carolina Exposition and Protest
The author of this document was John C. Calhoun; Andrew Jackson's Vice President. He wrote this document after the Tariff of Abominations of 1828. He seemed to sympathize with the people of South Carolina, and this document lays out the grounds where someone can disobey a federal law. He stated that this tariff was an extension of federal power, that it was unconstitutional because it favored one region, and that it wasn't necessary to keep the government running. He later resigned as VP. -
Hayne - Webster Debates
Because of the South's growing discontent towards the high duties and states right's the Hayne and Webster debates commenced. Both Hayne and Webster had very different ideas about nullification. Hayne, who was from South Carolina, thought and believed that the states had the authority to nullify a federal law that oppressed the people. Webster, who was from Massachusetts believed that the federal law encompassed the people's interests and, hence, did not need to be nullified by a minority. -
Ordinance of Nullification
South Carolina adopted the Ordinance of Nullification because of the 1828 and the 1832 tariffs passed by U.S Congress that greatly affected the South's economy and only benefited the North manufactures. The Ordinance if Nullification declared both of these tariffs "null and void" within the states. They also threatened to cede from the Union if the federal government were to enforce these tariffs. -
Proclamation to the People of South Carolina
This proclamation was issued by President Andrew Jackson which stated that a state did not have a right to nullify a federal law. This response by Jackson was in response to the Ordinance of Nullification issued by the legislature of South Carolina. Jackson thought that this ordinance was misguided, unconstitutional and an act of treason towards the country. At the very end of his proclamation he assured the country that union would be restored, and by force if it were necessary. -
Force Bill
After South Carolina adopted the Ordinance of Nullification, Congress passed the Force Bill into law which gave the President the power to use military force to enforce import duties if a state refused to comply with these federal tariffs(1828 and 1832). -
Compromise Tariff of 1833
This Compromise is what put a solution to the Nullification Crisis. Henry Clay was the one who produced the Compromise of 1833, but it was approved by Calhoun. The compromise stated that there would be a gradual reduction to the revenue level of 20%. -
The 1832 Tariff
The 1832 tariff was also called a protectionist tariff. The purpose of this tariff was to act as a remedy for the conflict originated from the 1828 tariff that greatly affected the Southerners. However, this reduction was not enough to alleviate the South.
