How was the nullification crisis in 1833 resolved?

2 Answers
May 9, 2017

Henry Clay found a compromise

Explanation:

"The South hated the tariff, which was a tax on imports. By 1832, the Industrial Revolution was in full swing. But the South never industrialized. Their economy was based almost completely on cotton, tobacco, and slavery. As a result, the South did not really make anything. They therefore had to import almost everything they needed. And because they had to import, they had to pay a tariff.

The North did have industry and so did not have to import anywhere near as much as the South. The money gained from the tariff was used to build roads, bridges, canals and railroads. Since most of the people and cities were in the North, most of the tariff revenue was spent there. The South felt this was grossly unfair.

When the tariff was raised, South Carolina, led by native son John C. Calhoun, who was the sitting Vice-President, voted to nullify the tariff, saying they would not obey it. If the Federal Government tried to force them to pay the tariff, they would secede and prepare for war.

President Andrew Jackson threatened to lead an army to South Carolina and force them to obey the law. It seemed like the Civil War was about to begin in 1832. Calhoun resigned as Vice-President.

Fortunately, Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky stepped in and worked out a compromise (the Compromise of 1833) which ended the crisis"

Source:https://socratic.org/questions/what-was-the-nullification-crisis

May 10, 2017

A compromise tariff bill was passed in 1833

Explanation:

The tariffs bills of 1828 and 1832 had so outraged the south that the state of South Carolina threated to succeed from the Union and John C. Calhoun resigned as vice president of the United States.

The tariffs of 1828 had raised import duties to 62% of the value of the imports. These duties applied to 92% of all imports. The tariffs were designed to protect factories in the Northern states from competition from England and other European countries.

The results of these import taxes were devastating to the South. England could not afford to buy as much Southern Cotton. The South had to import almost everything as there was little manufacturing in the south. Cost went up by almost 50% and income went down. The money raised by these taxes was spent mainly in the North on railroads, roads and canals to help northern industry.

John C. Calhoun and Henry Clay of Kentucky came up with a compromise tariff that would gradually reduce tariffs back down to the 20% rate of 1816. The votes from the combination of southern states and western states were enough to force the compromise through Congress.

This compromise tariff averted the nullification crisis and possible succession from the union of South Carolina. The issue of state's rights over federal law was not resolved by this compromise . The issue of states rights would continue to poison relationships between the north and the south.