United States Tariffs United States Tariffs and Nullificationand Nullification

1828, 1832, 1833, 18421828, 1832, 1833, 1842

By: Grant

The Tariff of AbominationsThe Tariff of Abominations18281828

The Tariff of 1828 was proposed by the Jacksonians in The Tariff of 1828 was proposed by the Jacksonians in order to give President John Quincy Adams a bad order to give President John Quincy Adams a bad political popularity.political popularity.

The tariff proposed extremely high tariff rates on The tariff proposed extremely high tariff rates on manufactured goods in New England.manufactured goods in New England.

The Jacksonians did not believe that the tariff would be The Jacksonians did not believe that the tariff would be passed, and it would give Adams a bad name to his passed, and it would give Adams a bad name to his tariff-desirous friends in the Northern states.tariff-desirous friends in the Northern states.

Unexpectedly, the tariff was passed and Jackson Unexpectedly, the tariff was passed and Jackson inherited the controversial issue when he became inherited the controversial issue when he became president.president.

Nullification in the SouthNullification in the South Southern planters first opposed the tariff because it raised prices Southern planters first opposed the tariff because it raised prices

for the purchase of goods.for the purchase of goods.

The major underlying dispute was over the assertion of national The major underlying dispute was over the assertion of national rights over state rights.rights over state rights.

Southerners feared the national government’s movement toward Southerners feared the national government’s movement toward abolitionism.abolitionism.

South Carolina was the most outright in their opinion, and John C. South Carolina was the most outright in their opinion, and John C. Calhoun anonymously authored the South Carolina Exposition and Calhoun anonymously authored the South Carolina Exposition and Protest.Protest.

The Exposition declared that the tariff was unconstitutional and that The Exposition declared that the tariff was unconstitutional and that states should nullify the tariff within their borders.states should nullify the tariff within their borders.

South Carolina was unable to pass the nullification legislature by a South Carolina was unable to pass the nullification legislature by a two-thirds vote in 1832. “Nullies” and “Unionists” went against each two-thirds vote in 1832. “Nullies” and “Unionists” went against each other with a passion in the 1832 election, and the “Nullies” got a other with a passion in the 1832 election, and the “Nullies” got a two-thirds majority in the state legislature. South Carolina two-thirds majority in the state legislature. South Carolina threatened secession if Washington attempted to collect the duties threatened secession if Washington attempted to collect the duties by force. by force.

The Tariff of 1832The Tariff of 1832

South Carolina had passed nullification laws South Carolina had passed nullification laws against the Tariff of 1828, and politicians wanted against the Tariff of 1828, and politicians wanted to be conciliatory toward the southern states. to be conciliatory toward the southern states.

The tariff was an appeasing measure and The tariff was an appeasing measure and lessened the high duties of the Tariff of 1828 lessened the high duties of the Tariff of 1828 from 45% to 35%.from 45% to 35%.

It was still designed to be protective.It was still designed to be protective. Southerners were not pleased with it, and Southerners were not pleased with it, and

especially the fact that the national government especially the fact that the national government seemed to be keeping tariffs permanently. seemed to be keeping tariffs permanently.

Events to the Tariff of 1833Events to the Tariff of 1833

Andrew Jackson got his “dander” up Andrew Jackson got his “dander” up against the secessionist South Carolina, against the secessionist South Carolina, issued military reinforcements, and issued issued military reinforcements, and issued a proclamation against nullification.a proclamation against nullification.

South Carolina governor Robert Y. Hayne South Carolina governor Robert Y. Hayne responded with a counter proclamation.responded with a counter proclamation.

Henry Clay of Kentucky was a supporter Henry Clay of Kentucky was a supporter of tariffs, but did not want Jackson to to of tariffs, but did not want Jackson to to gain laurels from crushing South Carolina .gain laurels from crushing South Carolina .

The Tariff of 1833 and The The Tariff of 1833 and The Force BillForce Bill

Henry Clay put his influence behind a bill that Henry Clay put his influence behind a bill that would lower the Tariff of 1832 by 10% over eight would lower the Tariff of 1832 by 10% over eight years. By 1842, the rates would be at the 1816 years. By 1842, the rates would be at the 1816 level of 20-25%.level of 20-25%.

It became evident that Jackson would not need It became evident that Jackson would not need to use force, but Congress passed the Force Bill to use force, but Congress passed the Force Bill as a “last word” to the South Carolinians. as a “last word” to the South Carolinians.

The Force Bill specified that the president could The Force Bill specified that the president could use force to collect federal tariff duties.use force to collect federal tariff duties.

South Carolina repealed the nullification bill of South Carolina repealed the nullification bill of 1828, but turned and declared the Force Bill null 1828, but turned and declared the Force Bill null and void within South Carolina. and void within South Carolina.

The “battle” continues in 1842The “battle” continues in 1842

Northern Whigs were not satisfied with the mild Northern Whigs were not satisfied with the mild rates of the Tariff of 1833, and decided to rates of the Tariff of 1833, and decided to reverse the legislation.reverse the legislation.

The new tariff raised rates to 40%, and specified The new tariff raised rates to 40%, and specified new methods of collection.new methods of collection.

President John Tyler was reluctant to pass the President John Tyler was reluctant to pass the bill, and previously had vetoed it.bill, and previously had vetoed it.

The tariff was later repealed in 1846, when the The tariff was later repealed in 1846, when the Democrats took control of Congress, and was Democrats took control of Congress, and was replaced by the Walker Tariff.replaced by the Walker Tariff.