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The Tariff of 1824
The tariff was issued on imported goods in attempt to reduce foreign competition within the trading business. The south disagreed with the idea of the tariff; therefore, threatened to secede from the union. Andrew Jackson didn't take kindly to this threat. John C. Calhoun, as a response to this threat, proposed the theory of nullification which allows the state government to declare a law void within the state borders. -
The Tariff of 1828
With Andrew Jackson being elected President in 1828, the southerners were hopeful that the former southerner was going to abolish the tariffs. "The Tariff of Abominations" is a well known nickname for this tariff. The taxes were raised even higher in attempt to protect American industries. The prices of manufactured goods went up, which in return benefited the northern factories. The south; however, was forced to pay even more for imported goods from the north. -
The South Carolina Exposition
This doctrine was written by John C. Calhoun in response to the Tariff of Abominations. This document explains the theory of nullification and how a state government has the right to admit a federal law unconstitutional. With this power in the state government, they are allowed to determine which laws to follow. However, this is thought to be defeating the whole purpose of the Constitution. -
The Tariff of 1832
After Calhoun's doctrine of nullification, Henry Clay put together a plan for congress to lower the tariff in order to stop the South's threats. Congress listened which brought the taxes back down to what they were originally. South Carolina still didn't appreciate this decrease, and decided to nullify the tariff.Jackson saw this as treason and passed a Force Bill that will allow him to invade South Carolina. -
South Carolina Nullification
Even though the tariffs were lowered, South Carolina still were upset with the amount they were forced to pay. With the theory of nullification back, the South Carolina legislature decided to nullify the tariffs. -
Haynes' Counter Proclamation
Governor Haynes reacted to Andrew Jackson's Nullification Proclamation with another proclamation. He believed that if a state is being oppressed then, the state has the right to declare a law unconstitutional. As Jackson started to round up troops, Haynes kept declaring tariffs and other laws void. -
Jackson's Proclamation Against Nullification
Andrew Jackson's proclamation was written in response to the South Carolinian's nullification of the tariff. This proclamation argued the right of the South Carolina legislature to nullify a federal law. Jackson believed that the states had no right to get rid of a federal law, since federal law was the supreme law of the land. -
Force Bill
Congress allowed Andrew Jackson to use the American army to enforce the laws. This was because South Carolina had nullified the tariff, which led to Jackson seeking to invade the state. Though Jackson agreed that the tariffs were too high, he was outraged that the people in South Carolina would even threaten him to leave the union. -
Clay's Compromise
Henry Clay came to the rescue yet again with a proposal to lower the tariff over the course of 9 years. This was known as the Compromise Tariff and was passed as well as the Force Bill. Jackson's actions led to Henry Clay's proposal since war was soon to break out if Jackson kept marching an army into South Carolina. The combination of the Force Bill and Compromise Tariff made South Carolina withdraw their Ordinance of Nullification. -
South Caroline Repeal of Nullification
The congress repealed the tariffs in South Carolina and the state repealed it's Proclamation of Nullification. The Force Bill provoked the South Carolina convention to repeal its proclamation and to nullify the Force Bill. This dispute ends in a stalemate, though each side has reasons to say they won. Tariffs were reduced and states rights to nullification was destroyed.
