Conflicts over States Rights

1. Conflicts over States Rights

2. “I have only Two Regrets: I didn't’t shoot Henry Clay and I didn’t hang John C. Calhoun.” ~Andrew Jackson

3. Rising Sectional Differences • The Country was continuing to get pulled apart by its three main sections: The Northeast, the South and The West • Legislators from each region were arguing over three main economic issues: • 1) the sale of public land • 2) Internal improvements • 3) tariffs

4. Sale of Public Land • The Government raised money by selling land at cheap prices • Northeasterners wanted the Government to raise its prices. • The cheap land was attracting workers who were needed for factories • Westerners wanted cheap land to encourage settlement • The higher the population – the more political power they had

5. Internal Improvements • The Northeast and West backed the spending on canals and roads • Good transportation helped the economies of both regions • Southerners opposed Government spending because they used tariffs • The South did not want any more Tariffs

6. Tariffs • Since 1816 tariffs had risen steadily. They had become the federal Governments main source of income. • Northerners supported tariffs because they made imported goods more expensive then American made goods. • Tariffs helped American manufactures sell their products at lower prices • The South opposed tariffs because its economy depended on foreign trade. • They sold most of their cotton to foreign buyers, who in return, instead of money – gave them credit to buy manufactured goods • Because of the higher tariffs, these foreign goods cost more.

7. Tariff of Abominations • In 1928 congress passed a tariff that significantly raised tariffs • Southerners were outraged – They had to sell their cotton at low prices, but tariffs forced them to pay high prices for goods. • Believed the economic issues of the North were determining national policy

8. Nullification • John C. Calhoun was a farmer from South Carolina, a state that had been hit hard by this rise in tariffs • Calhoun believed in the Doctrine of Nullification • A state, had the right to nullify, or reject, a federal law that it considers unconstitutional.

9. Calhoun • Calhoun believed that congress had no right to impose a tariff that favored one section of the country • Calhoun wrote a document called “South Carolina Exposition and Protest in which he outlined his belief of nullification • Calhoun had it published, but did not sign his name – he knew it would be very controversial

10. The States’ Rights Debate • Calhoun’s ideas added fuel to the debate – politicians took sides. • Congress had many debates about the issue • Jackson had not shared his views on states rights – everyone was waiting for his position • In April there was a birthday dinner in honor f Thomas Jefferson • Calhoun planned to use this event to win support for nullification. • Jackson learned of the plan and arrived at the event ready

11. Dinner for Jefferson’s Birthday Jackson Calhoun A trembling Calhoun stood to make his toast “The Union – next to our liberty, the most dear; may we all remember that it can only be preserved by respecting the rights of the states and distributing equally the benefits and burdens of the Union.” • Jackson was invited to make a toast • Jackson stood up, looked directly at Calhoun and said • “Our Federal Union --- it must be preserved”

12. South Carolina Threatens to Secede • Jackson opposed nullification, but did not want to break up the Union • He asked congress to reduce the tariffs, which they did – but it was not enough for the south • South Carolina nullified the Tariff acts of 1828 and 1832, voted to build an army and threated to secede, or leave the Union

13. Session • Jackson was enraged • If South Carolina leaders defied federal laws he threatened he would “hang the first man if them I can get my hands on.” • Jackson ran and won the election of 1832 without Calhoun as VP • Jackson made it clear he would use fore to see laws obeyed and the Union preserved.