Simone Lawson
The Nullification Crisis of 1832-1833 was a confrontation between South Carolina and the federal government over the former's attempt to declare federal tariffs from 1828 to 1832 null and void within the state. The crisis was rooted in Southern fears over the movement in the North for the abolition of slavery and the desire to protect their economic interests. South Carolina, led by Vice President John C. Calhoun, asserted states' rights to nullify federal acts, arguing that the Constitution was a compact among sovereign states. President Andrew Jackson forcefully denounced nullification, threatening military action and declaring that disunion by armed force was treason. The crisis was eventually resolved through a compromise tariff and the Force Bill, which authorized the use of military force to enforce federal laws.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 1832-1833 |
| States involved | South Carolina |
| Federal laws | Tariff of 1828, Tariff of Abominations, Tariff of 1832, Force Bill |
| State laws | Ordinance of Nullification |
| US President | Andrew Jackson |
| Vice President | John C. Calhoun |
| State governor | Robert Hayne |
| Other key figures | Henry Clay, Thomas Hart Benton, Van Buren |
| Key issues | Tariffs, slavery, state sovereignty, state nullification |
| Outcome | Compromise Tariff of 1833, reduction of tariff rates, end of crisis |
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What You'll Learn
The Tariff of Abominations
In 1832, President Andrew Jackson signed the Tariff of 1832, which made some reductions to the tariff rates of 1828. However, these reductions were not enough for South Carolina, and they still considered the remaining measures to be "abominations". On November 24, 1832, South Carolina adopted the Ordinance of Nullification, declaring the tariffs of 1828 and 1832 unconstitutional and unenforceable in the state. They threatened secession if the federal government attempted to collect tariff duties by force.
In response to South Carolina's nullification, President Jackson threatened war and Congress passed the Force Act, authorising the use of military force to enforce federal laws. However, a compromise was eventually reached, and the tariff rates were reduced to satisfy the South. Nonetheless, the nullification crisis had serious long-term repercussions, as it laid the groundwork for the secession of Southern states and the American Civil War.
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The Supremacy Clause
The Nullification Crisis of 1832-1833 was a political crisis in the United States that involved a confrontation between South Carolina and the federal government. It began with the passage of the Tariff of 1828 (also known as the Tariff of Abominations), which was highly controversial in the South as it was seen to unfairly burden Southern agrarian states with high taxes on imported manufactured goods. In response, South Carolina adopted the Ordinance of Nullification, declaring the Tariffs of 1828 and 1832 unconstitutional and unenforceable in the state. This ordinance asserted state sovereignty and the right to nullify federal laws, which was a direct challenge to the federal government and the US Constitution.
The Nullification Crisis brought to light the constitutional theory of state nullification, which held that states retained the authority to determine when the federal government exceeded its powers and could declare federal acts as void within their jurisdictions. This theory was advocated by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in the late 1790s. However, the Supremacy Clause of the US Constitution and the role of the federal judiciary would become central to the debate.
> "This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof ... shall be the supreme Law of the Land ... anything in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding."
The resolution of the Nullification Crisis in favour of the federal government further undermined the nullification doctrine. The Compromise Tariff of 1833 and the Force Bill, which authorized the use of military force to enforce federal laws, demonstrated that the federal government would not tolerate state nullification. While the crisis ended with both sides claiming victory, the issues of slavery and state rights would soon become central, ultimately leading to the American Civil War.
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The right to secede
The Nullification Crisis of 1832-1833 was a confrontation between South Carolina and the federal government over the state's attempt to nullify federal tariffs within its boundaries. While the crisis was ostensibly about South Carolina's refusal to collect federal tariffs, many historians believe it was rooted in growing Southern fears over the movement in the North for the abolition of slavery.
The crisis began with the passage of the Tariff of 1828, also known as the "Tariff of Abominations," which was passed at the instigation of Northern manufacturers to protect their products from foreign competition. Southern planters, who depended on foreign trade, believed that the extraordinarily high tariffs would damage their economy. In response, South Carolina secretly drafted the "South Carolina Exposition and Protest," which declared the tariff unconstitutional and outlined the state's grievances, furthering the nullification doctrine.
The Tariff of 1832, which only slightly modified the Tariff of 1828, led South Carolina to put the nullification theory into practice. In November 1832, the state convention adopted the Ordinance of Nullification, declaring the Tariffs of 1828 and 1832 "null, void, and no law" within the state. The ordinance also threatened secession if the federal government tried to collect tariff duties by force.
President Andrew Jackson strongly opposed nullification and secession, declaring that "disunion by armed force is treason." He asked Congress for the power to use military force to ensure states adhered to federal law, and Congress passed the Force Bill, authorizing him to deploy troops to South Carolina. However, a compromise was also offered, with the passage of the Compromise Tariff of 1833, which reduced tariff rates. South Carolina eventually repealed its Ordinance, ending the immediate crisis.
While the Nullification Crisis was resolved in favor of the federal government, it had long-term repercussions. It laid the groundwork for the secession of Southern states three decades later, as the issues of slavery and state's rights continued to divide the country, eventually erupting into the American Civil War.
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The Compromise Tariff
The Tariff of 1828, also known as the Tariff of Abominations, had imposed tariffs of up to 50% on imports, which adversely impacted the Southern planters who depended on foreign trade. In response, South Carolina threatened to secede if it were forced to pay the tariffs. This was followed by the Tariff of 1832, which only slightly modified the Tariff of 1828. This led to South Carolina adopting the Ordinance of Nullification on November 24, 1832, declaring that the Tariffs of 1828 and 1832 were "null, void, and no law, nor binding upon this State, its officers or citizens.".
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The Force Bill
The Nullification Crisis of 1832-1833 was a confrontation between South Carolina and the federal government, which arose due to South Carolina's refusal to collect federal tariffs. The state deemed the Tariff of 1828 and the Tariff of 1832 unconstitutional and unenforceable within its boundaries. This led to the passage of the Force Bill, also known as "An Act further to provide for the collection of duties on imports", which was enacted on March 2, 1833.
- Section 1 addressed unlawful obstructions to the collection of import duties. It authorized the president to secure ports and harbors to protect duty collectors and enforce revenue laws. This included the detention of vessels and cargoes, and it empowered the president to deploy the military to support customs officers if necessary.
- Section 2 expanded the jurisdiction of federal courts in revenue collection cases. It allowed injured parties in revenue cases to sue in court and criminalized any attempts to circumvent the legal process in reclaiming detained property.
- Section 5 dealt with states or portions within a state that employed force or unlawful means to obstruct the execution of federal laws or interfere with federal courts. This section granted the president the authority to use whatever force he deemed necessary to suppress such insurrections and enforce federal laws.
- Section 6 addressed states that refused to incarcerate individuals imprisoned under federal law.
- Section 8 was a sunset clause, stating that certain sections of the act would remain in force until the end of the next session of Congress.
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Frequently asked questions
The Nullification Crisis was a confrontation between South Carolina and the federal government over the state's attempt to declare the Tariffs of 1828 and 1832 null and void within the state.
The Tariff of 1828, also known as the Tariff of Abominations, was passed at the request of Northern manufacturers to protect their goods from foreign competition. The Tariff of 1832 was a slight modification of the Tariff of 1828, but it still did not satisfy South Carolina.
On November 24, 1832, South Carolina adopted the Ordinance of Nullification, declaring that the Tariffs of 1828 and 1832 were "null, void, and no law, nor binding upon this State, its officers or citizens.". They also prepared to resist the federal government with military force.
President Andrew Jackson issued a proclamation to the people of South Carolina, characterising their position as "impractical absurdity" and threatening the use of military force. Congress passed the Force Bill, authorising Jackson to use military force, and the Compromise Tariff, which reduced tariff rates. South Carolina repealed its Ordinance, thus ending the crisis.
