States' Rights

Definition

States' rights refers to the idea that individual states have the power to make decisions and laws for themselves, separate from the federal government. It was a major point of contention between the northern and southern states during the time leading up to the Civil War.

Related terms

Nullification: Nullification is when a state declares a federal law null and void within its borders, asserting that it does not apply there.

Secession: Secession refers to the act of a state officially leaving or withdrawing from a larger political entity, such as seceding from the United States.

Compromise: A compromise is an agreement reached between two or more parties where both sides give up something in order to find common ground and avoid conflict.