1. Conflicts over States’ Rights
Ch. 12, section 3

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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.