why did the southerners resist the increased tariff in 1828

Answer 1

The Southern states resisted the increased tariff of 1828, known as the "Tariff of Abominations," for several reasons:

1. Economic Impact: The South, which was largely agrarian and dependent on the export of its cotton and other goods, felt that the tariffs disproportionately benefited the industrial North at their expense. The higher tariffs increased the cost of imported goods, which Southern consumers had to pay, leading to a rise in prices for everyday goods.

2. Trade Relationships: Southern states relied heavily on trade with foreign nations. The tariff was seen as a barrier to international trade, particularly with countries like Great Britain, which was a significant market for Southern cotton. The South feared that these tariffs would provoke retaliatory tariffs from foreign governments, harming their export-driven economy.

3. Political Power Dynamics: The tariff highlighted the growing political power of the Northern states, which were becoming more industrialized and economically dominant. Many Southerners viewed the tariff as a means for the North to impose its interests on the South, which they believed threatened their political and economic autonomy.

4. Doctrine of Nullification: The resistance led to the development of the doctrine of nullification, championed by figures like John C. Calhoun. This doctrine held that states had the right to nullify federal laws that they deemed unconstitutional or harmful to their interests. Many Southerners saw the federal tariff as an overreach of federal power and felt justified in opposing it.

5. Cultural Factors: The Southern identity was closely tied to agrarianism and a way of life that was increasingly at odds with the industrial and urban focuses of the North. The tariff symbolized a clash between these two distinct regional identities and economic systems.

In summary, the Southern resistance to the tariff arose from economic, political, and cultural factors that created a deep-seated belief that their way of life and economic interests were under threat from federal policies favoring the North.