Conflicts over States’ Rights Ch. 12, section 3

John C. Calhoun Vice-President under Jackson as a Congressman he spoke out against sectionalism and supported a Second Bank of the United States, a permanent road system, a standing army, and the Protective Tariff of 1816 Concern for the economic and political well being of South Carolina and the south made him a champion of states’ rights, and the doctrine of nullification.

Rising Sectional Differences the country was split into three main sections Northeast, South, and West the sections were arguing over three issues the sale of public lands internal improvements tariffs

Rising Sectional Differences Northeast West South High Prices for the sale of public lands For Against No Opinion Given Why? Worried that low prices would cause factory workers to move west. Wanted low prices to attract settlers and gain political power. Not directly impacted by the sale of public lands in the west.

Rising Sectional Differences Northeast West South Internal improvements For Against Why? Made it easier to transport raw materials and manufactured goods. Made it easier to get goods from the Northeast and aided in settlement. Paid for by tariffs.

Rising Sectional Differences Northeast West South High Tariffs For For/ Neutral Against Why? Encouraged people to buy American manufactured goods made in the N.E. Paid for Internal Improvements but didn’t otherwise impact them directly Earned credit for cotton exports. Tariffs made the goods they purchased more expensive.

Tariff of Abominations a bill which significantly raised the taxes on imported raw materials and manufactured goods South was outraged had to sell cotton at low prices to be competitive received imported goods, not money in payment for their cotton the tariff made these goods more expensive helped Jackson will the election of 1828 because southerners blamed Adams for the tariff

Crisis over Nullification South Carolina hit especially hard because of difficult economic times some leaders spoke of leaving the union over tariffs Calhoun wanted to help the farmers, and keep South Carolina from leaving the Union

Crisis over Nullification The Doctrine of Nullification Jefferson - a state had the right to nullify, or reject, a federal law that it considers unconstitutional originally proposed by Madison and Jefferson over the Alien and Sedition Acts Jefferson argued that the Union was a league of sovereign states that had the right to limit the federal government.

Crisis over Nullification Calhoun took states’ rights one step further – a state could nullify, or refuse to recognize, a federal law within its borders believed Congress had no right to impose a tariff that favored one section of the country South Carolina had the right to nullify the tariff

The States’ Rights Debate Debate over the nature of the federal union was fueled. some supported a strong federal union some defended the rights of the states

The States’ Rights Debate Webster-Hayne Debate Daniel Webster (MA) argued against nullification people not states made up the Union freedom and the Union go together Robert Y. Haynes (SC) defended nullification gave states a lawful way to protest and to maintain their freedom enemies of the Union were those who added strength to the federal government

The States’ Rights Debate Jackson did not state his position until a party for Jefferson’s birthday. Jackson – “Our Federal Union – it must be preserved.” (anti-nullification) Calhoun - Federal Union can be preserved by respecting the rights of the states, and equally distributing its benefits and burdens. (pro-nullification) After this night the two were political enemies

South Carolina Threatens to Secede Jackson’s compromise opposed doctrine of nullification, but wanted to keep South Carolina in the Union asked Congress to reduce the tariff, they did in 1832 Southerners thought the reduced rates were still too high nullified the tariff acts of 1828 and 1832 voted to build its own army threatened to secede if the federal government tried to collect the tariffs Jackson was enraged, and said he would use force to see federal laws obeyed and the Union preserved

South Carolina Threatens to Secede Henry Clay comes to the rescue created a compromise tariff in 1833 to lower the tariff Congress passed the bill and the crisis ended South Carolina stayed in the Union Clay had also written the Missouri Compromise and been Secretary of State under John Quincy Adams.