Southerners resisted the increased tariff in 1828, known as the Tariff of Abominations, primarily because they believed it disproportionately favored the industrial North at their expense. The South was largely agricultural and relied on importing manufactured goods; thus, higher tariffs made these goods more expensive, harming their economy. They argued that states should have the right to nullify federal laws that they considered unconstitutional or harmful to their interests, which stemmed from their belief in states' rights and the principle of local governance. This resistance culminated in the Nullification Crisis, with South Carolina asserting the right to nullify the tariff within its borders.
Why did Southerners resist the increased tariff in 1828, arguing it should be nullified?
(1 point)
1 answer