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: -It ensued after South Carolina declared the federal Tariffs of 1828 and 1832 unconstitutional and therefore null and void within the sovereign boundaries of the state. However, courts at the state and federal level, including the U.S. Supreme Court, repeatedly have rejected the theory of nullification by states.

Detailed explanation-3: -Although not the first crisis that dealt with state authority over perceived unconstitutional infringements on its sovereignty, the Nullification Crisis represented a pivotal moment in American history as this is the first time tensions between state and federal authority almost led to a civil war.

Detailed explanation-4: -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-5: -The Tariff of 1828, commonly referred to as the Tariff of Abominations, was the central cause of the Nullification Crisis. This tariff was first proposed by allies of Andrew Jackson’s presidential campaign during the election of 1828. The tariff itself raised taxes by 30 to 50 percent on imports.