Topic: Nullification

Table of Contents
Overview Vocabulary Terms and Identifications	Political Cartoon Biographies of Key Historical Figures
Quiz

 

Overview:

Jefferson and Madison opposed the Alien and Sedition Act. The two men drew up statements opposing these acts. They said the acts were unconstitutional and states can nullify it. If states could nullify a federal law, it would be known as the "states' rights theory." Nullification was proposed in 1828 when John C. Calhoun wrote a document know as South Carolina Exposition. Due to rising industrial interest, the Northeast got Congress to include the tariff law of 1828, which the cotton growing south did not like. South Carolina was most against the tariff. Jackson got Congress to pass the "Force Bill" in 1833. This gave him the right to use the navy and army to collect tariff.
Eventually, a compromise bill was passed  which kept South carolina in the Union until after the 1860 election of Abraham Lincoln, a move which acted as the spark for the Civil War.
 

Vocabulary and Identifications

1) Nullify- to declare that a certain law will not be enforced.

2) States Rights Theory- the idea that states may nullify tariff taxes on imports.

3) Secede- break away from the Union.

4) Sovereignty- power to control  affairs.

5) Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions- statements opposing the Alien and Sedition Acts, which were passed to keep down the party of Jefferson and Madison.

Political Cartoon

Biographies of Important People
 

Person 1  Andrew Jackson: Federalists at Heart  Jackson handled things as a president very well because he always had things under control. But he was soon challenged by the Tariff Act, which he could not control. South Carolina got very upset about the Tariff Act of 1828. Jackson knew that if the Tariff Act was not banished then the Union would break apart. People were waiting for Jackson to respond and agree that a state could refuse to obey a federal law. Later at dinner, Jackson made a toast where he said that "the Union must be preserved."

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Quiz

1. What were the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions?
 a. The states New Years Resolution
 b. Statements opposing the Alien and Sedition Acts.
 c. Statements opposing the States’ Rights theory

2. What was the idea of the States’ Rights?
 a. Theory that states may nullify federal laws
 b. The rights of a state listed in the Constitution
 c. The idea that states had the right to do whatever they wanted to

3.Why did the Nullification Crisis start?
 a. Because they wanted to nullify the States’ Rights theory
 b. They were nullifying the idea that states could secede
 c. Because South Carolina threatened to secede because they would not pay tax      on manufactured goods

4. When was the Force Bill passed?
 a.1860
 b.1833
 c.1900

5. What was the Force Bill?
 a. It was a bill that everyone had to pay
 b. A man named Bill that used force against Congress
 c. Document that said you could use the army and navy to collect tariffs

6. What was the Tariff of Abominations?
 a. Said that a state could reject a state law and that the Tariff of 1828 was lowered
 b. Said that a state could reject a federal law and said the Tariff of 1828 was lowered
 c. Was an agreement of Abominations and said that the Tariff of 1828 was lowered

7. What did Jackson think about the States’ Rights theory?
 a. He denied it
 b. He passed it
 c. He said it was up to the people whether or not it got passed

8. To declare that a certain law will not be enforced means to
  a. nullify
  b. secede
  c. sovereignty

9. The power to control affairs means to
   a. nullify
   b. secede
   c. sovereignty

10. To secede means to
    a. break away
    b. to nullify
    c. to sovereignty
 
 

Answers:
.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Answers:
 

1.B.
2.A.
3.C.
4.B.
5.C.
6.B.
7.A.
8.A.
9.C.
10.A
 
 
 
 
 

Student authors:

Brandi R.
Dustin S.
Emily H.

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