The primary issue surrounding the 1832 nullification crisis was the debate over state versus federal power. Specifically, the crisis was sparked by South Carolina's opposition to the federal tariffs imposed on imported goods, which they believed were unfairly burdening their economy. South Carolina argued that they had the right to nullify, or invalidate, these tariffs within their borders. This ignited a constitutional dispute over whether the state had the authority to nullify federal laws, thus challenging the supremacy of the federal government.
