APUSH Review: The Nullification Crisis

Summary

The Nullification Crisis during Andrew Jackson's presidency was a pivotal moment in U.S. history, driven by tensions over the Tariff of 1828, which favored Northern industries at the expense of Southern agricultural interests. South Carolina, led by John C. Calhoun, attempted to nullify the tariff and even threatened to secede. Jackson responded with military force, while Henry Clay brokered a compromise that gradually lowered the tariffs. The crisis highlighted the ongoing struggle between state sovereignty and federal authority, setting the stage for future political and sectional conflicts in the United States.

Takeaways

• 😀 Andrew Jackson, near the end of his life, expressed strong resentment towards Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun, stating that he regretted not shooting Clay and hanging Calhoun.
• 😀 The Nullification Crisis occurred during Andrew Jackson's presidency and was largely centered around the issue of tariffs.
• 😀 A tariff is a tax on foreign goods, designed to make imported products more expensive, benefiting local industries.
• 😀 Northern industries generally supported tariffs, while the Southern states, with their agricultural economy, opposed them due to higher costs for imported goods.
• 😀 The Tariff of 1828, known as the 'Tariff of Abominations,' raised tariffs significantly, angering the South and leading to political backlash.
• 😀 John C. Calhoun, Vice President under both Adams and Jackson, was a key figure advocating for states' rights and nullification of federal laws, particularly tariffs.
• 😀 Calhoun's 1828 pamphlet, 'The South Carolina Exposition and Protest,' argued that states could nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional, inspired by the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions.
• 😀 The Tariff of 1832 lowered tariff rates but still did not satisfy the South, prompting South Carolina to officially nullify the tariff and threaten secession.
• 😀 Nullification is the act of a state declaring a federal law unconstitutional and refusing to enforce it.
• 😀 The crisis was resolved by Henry Clay's Compromise Tariff of 1833, which gradually lowered tariff rates over eight years, calming tensions between the North and South.
• 😀 Jackson's Force Bill, passed on the same day as the Compromise Tariff, authorized the use of military force to collect tariffs, showcasing Jackson's willingness to assert federal power.
• 😀 Ultimately, the Nullification Crisis showed the growing sectional divides in the U.S. and set the stage for future conflicts over states' rights and federal authority.

Q & A

What was the Nullification Crisis and why was it important during Andrew Jackson's presidency?

The Nullification Crisis occurred when South Carolina declared the Tariff of 1828 (the Tariff of Abominations) unconstitutional and attempted to nullify it. This event highlighted the growing tensions between federal authority and states' rights, particularly regarding tariffs that favored Northern industries but hurt the Southern economy.

What role did Andrew Jackson play in the Nullification Crisis?

Andrew Jackson was firmly against the idea of nullification. He viewed it as a challenge to federal authority and was prepared to use military force if necessary to collect the tariffs. Jackson played a key role in resolving the crisis by supporting a compromise and passing the Force Bill, which gave him the power to use military action to enforce tariffs.

What was the Tariff of 1828 and why was it controversial?

The Tariff of 1828, also known as the Tariff of Abominations, was a protective tariff that raised the prices of foreign goods, which benefited Northern industries but hurt Southern states that relied on imported goods. It became highly controversial, especially in the South, where it was seen as unfairly benefiting the North at the expense of Southern economies.

How did John C. Calhoun contribute to the Nullification Crisis?

John C. Calhoun, Vice President under both Adams and Jackson, was a strong advocate for states' rights. He wrote the 'South Carolina Exposition and Protest,' which argued that states could nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional. Calhoun's influence in South Carolina played a major role in the state's decision to nullify the tariff.

What was the 'corrupt bargain' referenced in the video?

The 'corrupt bargain' refers to the alleged backroom deal between John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay during the 1824 presidential election. After the election ended without a clear majority, Clay supported Adams, and Adams won the presidency. In return, Clay was appointed Secretary of State, leading Andrew Jackson to accuse the two of collusion.

What was Henry Clay's role in the resolution of the Nullification Crisis?

Henry Clay played the crucial role of mediator during the Nullification Crisis. He proposed the Compromise Tariff of 1833, which gradually reduced the tariff rates over eight years. This compromise helped avoid a civil conflict, as it appeased South Carolina while maintaining the federal government's authority.

What was the outcome of the 1832 Tariff and how did South Carolina react?

The Tariff of 1832 lowered tariff rates from the Tariff of 1828 but still did not satisfy South Carolina. South Carolina called a State Convention, nullified the tariff, and threatened secession if the federal government attempted to enforce it.

What is the concept of nullification as explained in the video?

Nullification is the act of a state declaring a federal law unconstitutional and refusing to enforce it. In the case of South Carolina, they nullified the Tariff of 1832, arguing that the law violated their rights as a state.

What was the Force Bill, and why was it significant?

The Force Bill, introduced by Andrew Jackson, authorized the president to use military force to collect tariffs from states that refused to pay. This bill was passed alongside the Compromise Tariff of 1833, signaling Jackson's willingness to enforce federal laws through force if necessary.

How did the Nullification Crisis affect the relationship between the North and South?

The Nullification Crisis exacerbated tensions between the North and South, particularly over economic issues like tariffs. While the North benefited from protective tariffs, the South felt that such policies unfairly targeted their economy, creating deep divisions that would eventually contribute to the onset of the Civil War.