USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -It was driven by South Carolina politician John C. Calhoun, who opposed the federal imposition of the tariffs of 1828 and 1832 and argued that the U.S. Constitution gave states the right to block the enforcement of a federal law.

Detailed explanation-2: -Introduction. On December 10, 1832, President Andrew Jackson issued a Proclamation to the People of South Carolina (also known as the “Nullification Proclamation”) that disputed a states’ right to nullify a federal law.

Detailed explanation-3: -In November of 1832, the state called for a convention. By a vote of 136 to 26, the convention overwhelmingly adopted an Ordinance of Nullification drawn by Chancellor William Harper. It declared that the tariffs of both 1828 and 1832 were unconstitutional and unenforceable in South Carolina.

Detailed explanation-4: -Therefore, if a state found a federal law unconstitutional and detrimental to its sovereign interests, it would have the right to “nullify” that law within its borders. Calhoun advanced the position that a state could declare a national law void.

Detailed explanation-5: -The best known statement of the theory of nullification during this period, authored by John C. Calhoun, was the South Carolina Exposition and Protest of 1828.