Timeline: Nullification Crisis

By yineth02

  • Tariff of Abominations

    This act was created by Henry Clay in order to help protect the industry that was growing rapidly in the United States. However, the people were upset with this tariff because they believed that it only benefitted Northern manufacturers. The reason for that is because the cost of living in the South increased. In addition, Northern products were also expensive and the Southerners were forced to buy these things in order to increase money in the North.

  • Calhoun's Protest

  • Webster Hayne Debate

    Debate over state's rights vs. federal government.

  • Tariff of 1832

    This act was enacted by President Andrew Jackson. The reason for this tariff was because the Tariff of Abomination created a lot of conflict and this was a revision of it. However, the people still did not agree with this because they still had to pay expensive items in order to benefit Northern manufacturers. In addition, these tariffs were unconstitutional and they wanted them repealed.

  • Ordinance of Nullification

    This was adopted by the South in order to declare the Tariff of Abomination and Tariff of 1832 "null and void." In addition, the legislature passed laws in which the military force could be used in order to enforce this ordinance. As a result, Jackson sent 7 small naval ships to Charleston. He also issued a proclamation against the ordinance. He then states that he would use force/bring in the military if necessary because South Carolina was committing treason against the US.

  • Proclamation to the People of South Carolina

    This proclamation was issued by Jackson which was against the nullification of South Carolina. The reason for this proclamation was that the South was on the brink of committing treason and he wanted to prevent the Union from dividing. In addition, he stated that if this was not dealt with peacefully, then he would have to use military force in order to prevent more chaos. Furthermore, it was to declare that nullification against the federal law was unconstitutional.

  • Clay's Tariff Bill

    This tariff was passed by Henry Clay in response to the nullification of South Carolina. This tariff stated that all import taxes would be cut down by 20% so that in 1842 the duties on all articles matched the tariff of 1816. At the same time, Congress passed a Force Act which stated that the US would use military force if they had to in order to stop the nullification in South Carolina and prevent disunion between the North and the South.