Nullification Crises

Definition

Nullification crises refers to the series of events in 1832 when South Carolina attempted to nullify or reject federal laws it deemed unconstitutional, specifically regarding tariffs. This defiance of federal authority highlighted tensions between state and national governments and reflected the belief in states' rights.

Related terms

States' Rights: The belief that individual states have certain powers and rights that are separate from those held by the federal government.

Secession: The act of formally withdrawing from a political union or organization, such as when Southern states seceded from the United States during the Civil War.

Tariffs: Taxes imposed on imported goods, which can affect trade and economic relationships between countries or regions.