Unit 3B: The Nullification Crisis Unit 3B: Jacksonian Democracy US History I - Mr. Sularz Summit High School

Jackson’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 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

Nullification Crisis - Facts to Consider: Congress passes the highest protective tariff in American history! “Tariff of Abominations” 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 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

“The most celebrated debates in the Senate’s history” (January 1830) Sen. Daniel Webster [MA] Sen. Robert Hayne [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” watch?v=k5oZwHfpPVI 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 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 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?