60 likes | 185 Views
Conflicts over States’ Rights. Calhoun, Jackson's Vice President http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QVur0cRs7A. States’ Rights Debate. Calhoun’s ideas added fuel to the debate over the nature of the federal union Strong federal government vs. Rights kept by states Webster- Hayne debate
E N D
Calhoun, Jackson's Vice Presidenthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QVur0cRs7A
States’ Rights Debate • Calhoun’s ideas added fuel to the debate over the nature of the federal union • Strong federal government vs. Rights kept by states • Webster- Hayne debate • The importance of the debate was that it brought into focus two conflicting views on the central issue of the NATURE of the Union-- and a whole cluster of fundamental issues about American government-- Webster defending a nationalist view against Hayne's states rights view.This was the beginning of a period in which this central conflict became much more clarified (including through the nullification crisis between President Jackson and South Carolina).
Webster Senator from Massachusetts Most powerful speaker of the time Argued that the people and not the states that made the union Declared that freedom and the Union go together Hayne Senator from South Carolina Defended nullification Argued that it gave the states a lawful way to protest and to maintain their freedom Argued that real enemies of the Union were those who are constantly stealing power from the states and adding strength to the Federal government
Jackson (Pres.) vs. Calhoun (VP) • At Thomas Jefferson’s birthday dinner, the two confronted each other during the toast • Jackson said the union must be preserved • Calhoun raised his glass and stated that the union would only be preserved if the states’ rights were respected • From then on, they were political enemies
South Carolina Threatens to Secede CAUSE EFFECT South is growing angry Jackson gets worried, doesn’t want them to leave the Union Jackson asks Congress to lower tariffs Congress responds, lowers tariffs in 1832 South Carolina still angry and they nullified the tariff acts in 1828 and 1832, voted to build own army Jackson is enraged, irate; he makes it clear that they will follow the laws (says he will “hang the first man of them I can get my hands on”) Henry Clay comes up with compromise on tariffs South Carolina stays in Union, crisis ends