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Tariff of 1824
The second protective tariff on imported goods increased duties by about 35% with the intent of protecting American revenue and promoting American goods.
Democratic-Republicans supported the tariff in order to advance Henry Clay’s American System, which provided more support to Northern manufacturers than Southern planters. -
Tariff of 1828
Dubbed the “Tariff of Abominations,” the third protective tariff on imported goods substantially raised duties to nearly 50%.
John Quincy Adams, a Democratic-Republican, reluctantly approved the tariff due to Northern political pressure. However, Andrew Jackson, also a Democratic-Republican stood in opposition with the unfavored South due to the greater difficulty in purchasing more expensive goods. -
South Carolina Exposition
A document from the South Carolina legislature in which reinforced nullification on the recent protective tariffs on the grounds of unconstitutionality.
Its author, John C. Calhoun, leader of the Nullifier Party, secretly wrote the exposition to respond in favor of Southern opposition against the Tariff of Abominations.
Democrats believed that it could weaken the federal government’s power in establishing laws. -
Tariff of 1832
The fourth protective tariff on imported goods decreased the duties back to the rate of the Tariff of 1828.
National Republicans under Clay sought for Congress to lower the duties back to 35%. Democrats believed that it was a reasonable method to appease Southern concerns while still promoting Northern industries.
However, South Carolina and Nullifiers under Calhoun deemed this tariff unsatisfactory and nullified it once more. -
South Carolina Nullification
South Carolina legislature voted to nullify the Tariffs of 1828 and 1832 within state borders and threatened to secede from the Union if force was used against them.
Led by Calhoun and the Nullifier Party, the state desired to protect state rights and oppose the empowerment of the federal government.
President Jackson and the Democrats were unhappy because it lowered the Southern incentive to buy from Northern manufacturers while weakening the power of the federal government. -
Jackson's Proclamation Against Nullification
President Andrew Jackson issued a proclamation to the South Carolinians to dispute the legislature’s nullification of federal law.
President Jackson, with support from the Democrats, wrote the proclamation in response to the South Carolina Nullification of recent tariffs.
Whigs and Nullifiers alike saw the proclamation as proof that the federal government favored the North over the South. -
Hayne's Counter Proclamation
Governor Robert Hayne countered President Jackson’s Proclamation Against Nullification by declaring that states have the right to nullify any oppressive laws that they deem unconstitutional.
Hayne, although a Democrat, had accused President Jackson of being wrong and, therefore, placed South Carolina in the position to secede.
The counter aligned with the Whig party’s attempt to challenge the federal government and hinder the Northern economy. -
Force Bill
Approved by Congress, this bill empowered the executive power to enforce federal law upon South Carolina. The bill by President Jackson authorized him to send military forces to South Carolina reject the state’s nullification upon the tariffs.
Democrats believed that the bill would help keep states in check while empowering the federal government.
Whigs, on the other hand, believed the bill allowed “King Jackson the First” to impose his will upon defiant people. -
Clay's Compromise
Also known as the “Compromise Tariff of 1833,” Congress passed a compromise which would gradually reduce the tariff rates over the next decade―down to the rate of the Tariff of 1816.
Clay, now a Whig, and Calhoun, a Nullifier, proposed this legislation in order to settle the conflict between the governments of South Carolina and the United States.
While not entirely satisfied, the Democrats accepted the compromise as it still would stimulate the economy. -
South Carolina Repeal of Nullification
The South Carolina Convention agreed to repeal the state’s Nullification Ordinance. The South Carolina legislature would withdraw threats of secession and nullify the Force Bill, officially ending the Nullification Crisis.
The Nullifier Party eventually dismissed, Whigs thought themselves successful in lowering a high tariff, and Democrats saw the repeal as a federal government successful in suppressing a state’s rebellion.
