Unit 3B: The Nullification Crisis

Unit 3B: Jacksonian Democracy

US History I - Mr. Sularz

Summit High School

Jackson’s AdministrationJackson’s Administration Spoils System

Reward political supporters with public office & jobs in government

Rotation in Office Remove office holders of

rival party Impact – mixed

Spoils System Reward political

supporters with public office & jobs in government

Rotation in Office Remove office holders of

rival party Impact – mixed

Jackson’s AdministrationJackson’s Administration The Cabinet

Mediocre, only Martin Van Buren with talent, rest clerks “yes” men & buddies of Jackson

Controversy, Scandal (Peggy Eaton Affair)

“Kitchen Cabinet” Advisors to the president,

consulted with & relied on more

The Cabinet Mediocre, only Martin Van

Buren with talent, rest clerks “yes” men & buddies of Jackson

Controversy, Scandal (Peggy Eaton Affair)

“Kitchen Cabinet” Advisors to the president,

consulted with & relied on more

Nullification Crisis -Facts to Consider: 1828 - Congress passes the highest

protective tariff in American history! “Tariff of Abominations”

1832 - The Clash of Northern & Southern economic intersts threatens civil war!

Federal powers vs. State powers President vs. the Vice President

Different Sections- different economic interests

North-Higher tariffs Protect industry

West-Low price for western lands Continued expansion

South-low tariffs Cotton prices remain the

same while northern manufactured goods have risen

John C. Calhoun Early career - nationalist Vice-President for J.Q.

Adams & Jackson Shift to states rights

activist - South Carolina Against Tariff -being

“slaves” to Northern Industrial interests The South Carolina

Exposition (1828) Published Anonymously

Theory of nullification

Nullification ConceptNullification Concept

US Constitution based on compact of 13 sovereign states

Being sovereign states had right to decided whether act of Congress was Constitutional

US Constitution based on compact of 13 sovereign states

Being sovereign states had right to decided whether act of Congress was Constitutional

If act was not, each state had right to declare law null

If states don’t have this right-majority might trample over minority rights

If act was not, each state had right to declare law null

If states don’t have this right-majority might trample over minority rights

“The most celebrated debates in the Senate’s history” (January 1830)

Sen. Daniel Sen. Daniel WebsterWebster[MA][MA]

Sen. Robert Sen. Robert HayneHayne[SC][SC]

Robert Hayne’s Main Points “Southern planters

slaves to Northern industrialists”

Rights of South destroyed & must be restored

Nullification is a safeguard of the minority interests

Daniel Webster’s Main Points“I go for the Constitution as it is & for the Union as it is- It’s the peoples Constitution & the peoples govt. made for the people, by the people, answerable to the people”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5oZwHfpPVI

“Liberty & Union now & forever, inseparable”

Union more compact between sovereign states

National government supreme

Settle disputes in courts & electoral process

Jackson v. Calhoun

1830 White House Dinner (Came after Webster-Hayne Debate) Jackson:

• “Our Union: It must preserved!” Calhoun:

• “The Union, next to our liberty, most dear. May we always remember that it can only be preserved by distributing equally the benefits and burdens of Union.”

Political issue of Nullification – Calhoun’s “Exposition” public

Jackson v. Calhoun

2 personal issues of the past drove a rift between them 1818 - Calhoun thought Jackson should be punished for wild actions in

‘Spanish Florida’ (1830) Peggy Eaton Affair (1831)

Calhoun to resign as VP & runs for the senate from South Carolina (protect sectional interests)

1832 – Things heat up Still too high for S.C.

Nullification convention Nullified 1828 & 1832 No collection

Jackson sees that Nullification = treason

Jackson decides to pursue two options Congress passes the Force

Bill at Jackson’s request - nullified too

Work with Congress to come up with a resolution

Clay’s Compromise Compromise Tariff of

1833 - gradually reduce tariff by 10% in 10 years

S.C. repealed their ordinance of nullification

Crisis of secession is averted

Significance of the Nullification Crisis

Federal vs. State issues still not settled No clear winner in the issue Civil War - Cause? Prevent? Delay?