10 th Grade Social Studies TAKS Review 1 Session 1: 8.18b The Nullification Crisis
Tariff Bill of 1828
Congress passed the Tariff Bill of 1828 which was the highest import tax ever. This was a “protective tariff” because it was designed to protect U.S. industry by increasing tariffs on goods from Europe.
This tax hurt Southern planters because they depended on trade with Europe. The high tariff meant Southerners still sold their cotton to Europe, but paid more for European imports.
Vice President John C. Calhoun was from South Carolina and believed in the idea of “states’ rights”. In 1828, he wrote The Exposition and Protest, which said a state had the right to nullify any federal law it did not like They called it the “Tariff of Abominations”. An abomination is something hated.
States’ rights is the right of states to limit the power of the federal government. South Carolina passed the Nullification Act and declared the tariff illegal. Nullify means cancel. South Carolina
South Carolina threatened to secede if the tariff was not lifted. So, what happened??? Secede means withdraw. Jackson threatened to use force to keep South Carolina from seceding
Henry Clay (known as the Great Compromiser) designed a compromise that lowered the tariff but gave the president more power to use force if a state threatened to secede, thus ending the crisis, but failing to resolve the issue of secession and state’s rights.
8.18b – TAKS Review Question What was President Jackson's position on South Carolina's claim that they could nullify the Tariff of 1828? A.They had a right to nullify the Tariff. B.No state had the right to ignore a law passed by Congress. C.The U. S. Constitution was ambivilent. D.They needed Congress to pass a treaty to enable them to nullify. Correct answer: B
8.18b – TAKS Review Question Which position was South Carolina affirming when it declared its intention to secede from the Union? A.civil rights B.states' rights C. individual rights D.women's rights Correct answer: B
8.18b – TAKS Review Question We are a band of brothers, Native to the soil Fighting for the property We gained by honest toil. And when our rights were threatened, The cry rose near and far; Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag That bears a single star! Bonnie Blue Flag, 1861 A.Executive Order B.Keeping the Union together C.First Amendment rights D.States Rights Correct answer: D
8.18b – TAKS Review Question "Our federal Union: it must be preserved!“ The quote above was Jackson's clear challenge to which of the following issues? A.Indian removal B.National Bank C.Nullification Crisis D.Eaton Affair Correct answer: C