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The Tariff of 1828
Passed by the Congress of the United States on May 19, 1828, this tariff was meant to raise taxes on imported manufactured goods. This was done in order to limit foreign manufactured goods, as American and European manufacturer competition had reached an all-time high. Southern states were dependent on European goods, and so they suffered due to this tariff, which is why it is also known as the Tariff of Abominations. This tariff was declared unconstitutional during the Nullification Crisis. -
South Carolina Exposition and Protest
The South Carolina Exposition and Protest was written in response to the Tariff of 1828, as it was a protest against the tariff. This stated Calhoun's Doctrine of Nullification, one that stated the idea that a state had the right to reject federal laws. Calhoun believed the tariff was unconstitutional, and he argued that states should unite to nullify the tariff. South Carolina wished for reform with this tariff, and used these ideals from Calhoun in their Ordinance of Nullification that year. -
Hayne-Webster Debates
This series of debates occurred after South Carolina's Exposition and Protest was written by John C. Calhoun, and were held primarily between Robert Y. Hayne and Daniel Webster in Congress. They debated issues on western expansion, public land policies, and slavery along with the problems of the Nullification Crisis and its ideals. Webster felt that federal laws represented Americans and therefore couldn't be nullified my states, while Hayne felt that states were able to nullify federal laws. -
The Tariff of 1832
Passed by the Congress of the United States on July 14, 1832, this was a protective tariff meant to reduce existing tariffs and their guidelines in order to lessen conflicts that had worsened after the creation of the Tariff of 1828, but most Southerners did not appreciate this tariff, however South Carolina was particularly against it. Since South Carolina was particularly opposed, this tariff would lead to the creation of South Carolina's Ordinance of Nullification. -
South Carolina's Ordinance of Nullification
South Carolina's Ordinance of Nullification was meant to declare both the Tariffs of 1828 and 1832 unconstitutional and null and void. This occurred because the state leaders had strong oppositions to these tariffs, as they often refused to pay them. Within this Ordinance of Nullification, South Carolina even threatened to leave the Union in the situation that President Jackson used force on the state. This angered Jackson, which would lead to his Proclamation to the People of South Carolina. -
Jackson's Proclamation to the People of South Carolina
Issued by President Andrew Jackson on December 10, 1832, this proclamation was his response to South Carolina's Ordinance of Nullification. Within this proclamation, Jackson made it very apparent that he did not support the ideals of nullification and its virtues. He also spoke to the people rather than the state legislatures, as he warned South Carolinians that he would use force on the state if necessary, as he felt that South Carolina was not carrying out the virtues of the U.S. Constitution. -
Governor Haynes Counter Proclamation
Issued by Governor Haynes of South Carolina after Jackson's Proclamation to the People of South Carolina, this was Haynes's response to the proclamation. Haynes claimed that states could deem laws unconstitutional and null/void if the states felt that the law was oppressive. After this counter proclamation, Jackson rounded up troops to send to South Carolina while Haynes continued to nullify the tariffs and laws. It was clear war between South Carolina and the United States could be approaching. -
The Force Bill
Passed by Congress of the United States, this gave President Jackson the temporary power to use military forces in order to enforce federal import duties and its collections in the event that a state (South Carolina) refused to comply with federal tariffs. This was written after South Carolina refused to collect duties on the Tariffs of 1828 and 1832, and South Carolina also nullified this bill along with the tariffs as state legislatures felt the three were unconstitutional. -
Compromise Tariff of 1833
Proposed by Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun, this tariff was meant to resolve the issues of the Nullification Crisis. This would gradually lower tariff rates over a ten year period, as it guaranteed that tariff rates above 20% would be reduced by a tenth every two years, with eventual rates lowering back to 20% by the year 1842. This formally ended the Nullification Crisis and avoided large conflicts with South Carolina, however the state still had to repeal many of their nullifications. -
South Carolina's Repeal on Nullification
Enacted by the South Carolina Convention after the Force Bill and the Compromise Tariff were enacted, this repealed the Nullification Ordinance. State leaders within South Carolina approved of the lowering of tariff rates, and so their Repeal on Nullification was enacted on March 11, 1833. This ended the Nullification Crisis, and it foreshadowed differences between the North and South within the U.S, which led to sectionalist ideals growing, ideals that would eventually lead to the Civil War.
