The Nullification Crisis

After the War of 1812, the first of a series of tariffs was established in what year?

• 1816

• 1824

• 1828

• 1832

Answer explanation

The first tariff was established in 1816, with increases in 1824 and 1828.

The tariff placed a tax on...

• Exported goods

• Agricultural products

• Imported goods

• Raw materials

Answer explanation

A tariff is a tax on imported goods meant to raise their prices so that domestic products can compete with them in the marketplace.

The largest of these tariffs was enacted in 1828 during the administration of which president?

• Andrew Jackson

• Martin Van Buren

• John C. Calhoun

• John Quincy Adams

Answer explanation

The tariff of 1828 was enacted in the last year of John Quincy Adams' administration.

The American manufacturing industry could not compete with cheap goods imported from...

• China

• France

• England

• Canada

Answer explanation

Since American manufacturing was relatively new, many of the goods purchased in the U.S. were imported from England.

Southerners referred to the Tariff of 1828 as...

• The Tariff of Abominations

• The Terrible Tariff

• The Nullification Crisis

• Jackson's Tariff

Answer explanation

Southerners referred to the Tariff of 1828 as the Tariff of Abominations because it raised the prices of goods that they purchased and decreased the demand of raw materials that were exported from the south.

John C. Calhoun, Jackson's vice president, put forth the theory of nullification.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

John C. Calhoun, a native of South Carolina, was the most vocal opponent of the Tariff of Abominations which caused a rift to form between he and Andrew Jackson.

South Carolina, with the support of many southern states, threatened to secede from the union over the Tariff of 1828.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

South Carolina did not have the support of any other states when it threatened to secede from the union.

Andrew Jackson asked congress to pass a _____ in order to enforce the tariff in South Carolina with military forces.

• Secession Bill

• Force Bill

• Tariff Enforcement Bill

• Anti-Nullification Bill

Answer explanation

The Force Bill was intended to enforce the tariff in South Carolina using military forces.

The central issue at the heart of this constitutional crisis was...

• Slavery

• Citizenship

• Executive Overreach

• States' Rights

Answer explanation

The Nullification Crisis sparked a debate about states' rights that was a preliminary factor of a dispute that would become one of the central causes of the American Civil War.