Tariffs Nullification Secession

Nullification Crisis

(Andrew Jackson vs State Rights)​

By John Valles

As president, Andrew Jackson increased the tariffs (taxes) on foreign goods from Europe. This was done because he wanted to help Northern manufactories grow their business in the United States. Since buying goods from Europe would be more expensive with a tariff, Americans would be more tempted to buy goods only from the United States. The South relied on manufactured goods, like farming equipment, to plant their crops. Buying goods from Europe was a cheap option, but with the tariff it became more expensive to get goods from Europe. If the South was going to continue buying from Europe they had to pay more. The South really opposed this new tariff Andrew Jackson created.

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#1 Big Idea: How did the Nullification Crisis begin? What was the issue?

Open Ended

What is a tariff?

Multiple Choice

Why did Andrew Jackson increase tariffs on foreign goods from Europe?

• He did this to help Northern manufactories

• To deplete the European economy

• To help France recover their debt

• To help Southern plantations

Multiple Choice

Who was upset and opposed the tariff Andrew Jackson created?

• The Southern states

• The Northern states

• The Midwest

• France

The Southern states opposed the tariff and decided that based on the 10th Amendment, they had a right to nullify (avoid or cancel) the tariff and not pay it. They felt they had to right to overrule the federal law, they felt it was it unconstitutional to be forced to pay the tariff. The state of South Carolina led the southern states in their effort to nullify the tariff. Opposition (was against) to the tariff was led by John C. Calhoun who argued that states had the right to cancel a federal law it claimed was unconstitutional.

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Big Idea #2: How did the Southern States respond??

Multiple Choice

Based on the reading, what does nullify mean?

• To cancel or ignore

• To push through and accept

• To gain profit

• To hope or dream of

Multiple Choice

What was South Carolina and the Southern states attempting to do?

• Overturn a federal law

• Create another state

• Become apart of France

• Create a new set of laws involving slavery

Multiple Choice

Which Southern state led the effort to nullify the law?

• South Carolina

• Georgia

• Texas

• Virginia

Multiple Choice

If NULLIFY means to ignore or cancel, what where the Southern States attempting to nullify?

• Federal law involving paying the tariff

• Federal law involving voting rights

• A state law involving building of railroads on Indian land

• A state law increasing Indian land ownership

In 1830 Daniel Webster, a senator from Massachusetts, addressed the idea of nullification with a speech on the Senate floor arguing that if states could nullify federal laws the preservation of the union was in jeopardy (in danger). He believed that the U.S was one nation and individual states cannot override its laws. He felt if states could nullify federal laws then our country would fall apart.

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Big Idea #3: Who was against the Southern states? Daniel Webster's view on the Nullification Crisis

Multiple Choice

What was Daniel Webster's belief towards the Southern states nullifying the federal law passed by Andrew Jackson?

• He opposed the Southern states attempting to nullify and felt it was bad for the nation

• He agreed with the Southern states attempting to nullify

• He opposed the Southern states and felt it would benefit the economy of France

• He agreed with the Northern states actions

Multiple Choice

Who was the U.S senator who was against the southern states nullifying?

• Daniel Webster

• John C. Calhoun

• Andrew Jackson

• John Adams

Open Ended

Do you agree or disagree with Daniel Webster point of view??

(Please explain why)

• Andrew Jackson believed that states COULD NOT nullify federal laws or taxes, and he made that clear to the southern states. The state of South Carolina believed President Jackson violated their 10th Amendment and their state rights. South Carolina would leave the United States and make their own country if Jackson continued to keep this tariff. 

• The Nullification Crisis ends when Andrew Jackson threatens to use the the army to prevent South Carolina from leaving. Though this, it ends without a war. Many southern states believed the federal government was becoming getting too powerful.

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Big Idea #4: How did President Andrew Jackson respond to the Souther States? What were the Southern States threatening to do?

Multiple Choice

How did Andrew Jackson feel about the Southern states actions?

• He was against their actions

• He approved and defended their actions

• He was neutral (did not choose sides)

• He approved their plan

Multiple Choice

What was South Carolina planning to do if Andrew Jackson did NOT take off the tariff?

• South Carolina was planning to leave the country

• South Carolina was organizing a militia to fight

• The South was assembling their own tariffs

• Northern states were all planning to leave the country and assemble their own country