Today in History: Nullification Crisis

Jackson and the nullifiers
Today in History–January 13–the Library of Congress features the Nullification Crisis. On this date in 1833, President Andrew Jackson wrote his new president Vice President Martin Van Buren affirming his commitment to preventing South Carolina’s defiance of federal authority by nullifying national tariff laws. The Nullification Crisis began in November, 1832 when South Carolina nullified a federal tariff. On December 10, 1832 Jackson issued a proclamation promising to uphold the federal tariff and warned “disunion by armed force is treason.” Although Congress authorized the use of military force against any state that resisted the tariff acts, the crisis ended in March, 1833 when the Compromise Tariff of 1833 was passed. Learn more by visiting the Today in History section, then click the links below to access related primary sources.

Tariff Act of 1828

Tariff Act 1828 historical newspaper coverage

Tariff Act of 1832

Tariff Act 1832 historical newspaper coverage

The Tariff. South Carolina, Protest

South Carolina Ordinance of Nullification November 24, 1832, Avalon Project at Yale Law School

President Andrew Jackson nullification proclamation Dec. 10, 1832

The President’s Proclamation Delaware Gazette and American Watchman. (Wilmington, Del.), 14 Dec. 1832

Letter, Andrew Jackson to Martin Van Buren discussing the nullification crisis 13 January 1833

Andrew Jackson to Andrew I. Crawford Wednesday, May 01, 1833 (Nullification and slavery)

James Madison nullification correspondence

Printed ephemera

Nullification political cartoons

Nullification: historical newspaper coverage 1832-33

Compromise Tariff of 1833

Today in History: Andrew Jackson

Today in History: James Madison

Today in History: Martin Van Buren