US History: Sectional Differences

Sectional Differences and Tensions

• The US faced sectional tensions due to differing economies in the North, South, and West.
• The North had a heavy industry and capital-based economy, whereas the South had an agricultural economy fueled by slave labor, sharecroppers, and a small but powerful landed gentry.
• The West, like the South, had an economy based on agriculture and raw materials and needed to expand to grow economically.

Western States and Land Expansion

• Western states sought an alliance with Southern states to reduce the cost of government land and lower protective tariffs, which would strengthen their economies.
• However, Northern interests opposed this, seeing protective tariffs as necessary to raise revenue for the government and protect America's young industrial base.

Nullification Crisis

• The nullification crisis centered on a state's right to declare null and void any federal mandate it did not wish to follow.
• This idea was advocated by John C. Calhoun and others who believed states had the right to interpret the Constitution as they saw fit.
• President Jackson strongly opposed nullification, believing it would lead to the disintegration of the union.

Jackson and Calhoun on States Rights

• Jackson and Calhoun had differing views on states' rights, with Calhoun supporting states' rights and Jackson opposing it.
• Jackson stated that if any state were allowed to nullify federal law, there would be no union.

Nullifiers and Tariffs

• The main issue bothering the nullifiers was the federal tariff, which they saw as unfair to their economies.
• They were also concerned that the federal government would soon seek to expand its power and ultimately abolish slavery.

Slavery and Economy

• Slavery was seen as necessary to the economy of the American South, and any talk of abolishing it was unthinkable.
• In South Carolina, where slaves outnumbered whites 2 to 1, the idea of freedom for slaves was seen as a threat to the lives and livelihood of Southern plantation owners.

Ordinance of Nullification

• In November 1832, South Carolina passed an ordinance of nullification, refusing to obey the federal government's tariffs.
• The ordinance also gave the South Carolina legislature the power to raise an army and equip it.

Jackson's Response

• Jackson immediatelyacted, making it clear that he would send troops if necessary and punish any act of treason by any man, legislator, or state.
• Jackson believed that nullification was treason and would not back down.

Compromise and Resolution

• A compromise tariff bill was passed, promising to lower tariffs over a period of ten years.
• The crisis was temporarily calmed, but the issue of nullification and states' rights remained unresolved.