-
Tariff of 1828 (Tariff of Abominations)
This tariff passed by John Quincy Adams was meant to promote new industries in the north by taxing European goods. This persuaded people to buy goods made in America making the country less dependent on Europe. This tariff had a lot of opposition in the South because people could no longer buy foreign goods at extremely cheap prices. The southerners believed that this tariff only promoted northern commerce, and hurt southern commerce. -
South Carolina Exposition and Protest
After the election of 1828 when Andrew Jackson was elected president, his Vice President John C. Calhoun anonymously wrote this exposition. This paper argued that the states should have the right to reject any federal laws they did not agree with. He argued that the union of the states was a choice, and they should not be forced to abide by federal laws they disagreed with. -
Hayne-Webster Debate
The Webster-Hayne debate was a debate regarding the political issues of the time like the tariff, western lands, and internal improvements. Webster argued that the Union was created by the people for the good of the whole. Hayne argued that the Union was created by the states for their interests. This debate showed the different views about the Union, which would be very important in years to come. Hayne has the same view as South Carolina and John C. Calhoun. -
Tariff Act of 1832
This act was created in response to Southern opposition to the 1828 tariff. This act did lessen many of the tariffs placed on imported goods in the Tariff of 1828, but it was not enough to appease the Southern states. -
Oridance of Nullification
In response to the tariffs of 1828 and 1832, South Carolina representatives came together in the state nullification convention to write an ordinance proclaiming that the tariffs were "null and void." This ordinance threatened to openly ignore federal law or to use force to secede from the Union. -
Proclamation to the People of South Carolina
In response to South Carolina's nullification ordinance, President Andrew Jackson gave a proclamation stating that South Carolina's nullification of federal law and threats to secede were unconstitutional. He says that he would use force to execute laws and to prevent South Carolina from seceding. He says secession by force is treason, and the state will be punished for treason if they follow through. This was opposed by the states, who claimed they had the right to secede peacefully. -
Force Bill
In response to the nullification ordinance, President Andrew Jackson advocated for the force bill to be ratified by Congress. This bill would allow Jackson to use military force to enforce federal tariffs. This was one of Jackson's ways to handle the threat of secession. Southern states were against this bill, but it was eventually ratified by Congress, which led South Carolinas to stop fighting against the federal government. -
Compromise Tariff of 1833
This tariff was a peaceful attempt by President Andrew Jackson to appease South Carolina and the southern states who opposed the previous tariffs. This compromise lowered the previous tariff significantly. This combined with the Force Bill, was enough to calm the southern states and reestablish the authority of the federal government.