In 1828, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill to approve the Tariff of Abominations by a vote of 105 to 94. Why did this tariff create division within the United States?
The Tariff of Abominations, passed in 1828, created division within the United States due to several reasons:
1. Sectional Disparity: The tariff imposed high import duties on goods such as raw materials, textiles, and iron products, which were primarily manufactured in the Northern states. These high tariffs protected domestic industries, but they significantly increased the cost of imported goods for consumers in the Southern states, where agriculture dominated. The Southern states relied heavily on imported manufactured goods and viewed the tariff as favoring Northern industrial interests at their expense. Thus, the sectional disparity in economic interests contributed to the division.
2. Nullification Crisis: The Tariff of Abominations intensified the ongoing debate over states' rights and the power of the federal government. South Carolina, led by Vice President John C. Calhoun, believed that the tariff was unconstitutional and an abuse of federal power. In response, they proposed the doctrine of nullification, which argued that states had the authority to nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional within their borders. This led to a significant crisis, with South Carolina threatening to secede if the tariff was enforced.
3. Economic Impact: The high tariffs not only increased the cost of imported goods for Southerners but also reduced their export markets. The Southern states relied on cotton exports, and in retaliation to the tariff, some European nations imposed their own high tariffs on American goods. This harmed the Southern economy and created economic turmoil in the region.
4. Political Factions: The tariff debate contributed to the formation of political factions in the United States. The division between those who supported protective tariffs (typically Northern industrialists) and those who opposed them (primarily Southern agricultural interests) further polarized the nation along regional lines. This division eventually culminated in the formation of the Whig and Democratic parties, which represented differing economic and political interests.
Overall, the Tariff of Abominations created division within the United States due to sectional economic disparities, the nullification crisis, economic repercussions on export markets, and the formation of political factions aligned with different economic interests.