Key Concepts of the Nullification Crisis

Questions and Answers

What is a tariff?

A document that outlines government procedures

A government tax on imports or exports (correct)

A type of government regulation

An economic agreement between countries

What does the Supremacy Clause state?

Article VI of the Constitution, which makes the Constitution, national laws, and treaties supreme over state laws.

What is a Federal Government System?

Form of government based on the sharing of powers between levels of government; in the U.S. it is between the national and state governments.

What was the Nullification Crisis?

The showdown between President Andrew Jackson and the South Carolina legislature regarding the 1832 tariff. Signup and view all the answers

What did the South Carolina Ordinance of Nullification state?

Federal tariffs could be declared null and void by individual states. Signup and view all the answers

What was Jackson's Proclamation Regarding Nullification?

A proclamation from Jackson stating that the tariff of 1828 in South Carolina was not null and void. Signup and view all the answers

Who was Andrew Jackson?

The seventh President of the United States (1829-1837). Signup and view all the answers

What was the Compromise Tariff of 1833?

A new tariff proposed by Henry Clay & John Calhoun that gradually lowered the tariff. Signup and view all the answers

Who was John C. Calhoun?

A prominent political figure who led the fight against protective tariffs. Signup and view all the answers

What war's seeds were planted by the Nullification Crisis?

American Civil War. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Concepts of the Nullification Crisis

Tariff: A government tax on imports or exports that can impact economic balance between states.
Supremacy Clause: Article VI of the Constitution establishes that the Constitution, national laws, and treaties take precedence over state laws when the national government operates within constitutional bounds.
Federal Government System: A system of governance where power is shared between national and state levels, crucial in understanding state-federal relations.

Overview of the Nullification Crisis

Nullification Crisis (1832-1833): A conflict between President Andrew Jackson and South Carolina's legislature, which declared the 1832 tariff null and void and threatened to secede if duties were enforced.
South Carolina Ordinance of Nullification: Based on John Calhoun's theory from the South Carolina Exposition and Protest (1828), this ordinance declared federal tariffs null and prohibited duty collection within the state.
Jackson's Proclamation: Jackson asserted that the tariff was valid and threatened military action to enforce it, emphasizing the dangers of secession.

Key Figures and Events

Andrew Jackson: The seventh President (1829-1837), known for his military success in the War of 1812 and his staunch opposition to state nullification and the Bank of the United States, while expanding presidential authority.
John C. Calhoun: A leading opponent of the 1828 protective tariffs affecting the South economically, he developed the doctrine of nullification, claiming states could determine the constitutionality of laws.
Compromise Tariff of 1833: Proposed by Henry Clay and John Calhoun, this tariff gradually decreased duties to levels consistent with the 1816 tariff, successfully diffusing tensions and delaying civil conflict for 30 years.

Long-term Implications

Seeds for the American Civil War: The Nullification Crisis highlighted stark regional divisions and set precedents for state versus federal authority, laying groundwork for future conflicts leading to the Civil War.

Description

Explore the essential elements of the Nullification Crisis, a pivotal conflict between South Carolina and the federal government during 1832-1833. This quiz covers key ideas such as tariffs, the Supremacy Clause, and the implications of state-federal relations in American history.