Strained Relations: Jackson vs. Calhoun in the Nullification Crisis

Throughout American history, presidents and vice-presidents have often had strained relationships, with a few exceptions such as Adams and Jefferson, Kennedy and Johnson, and Eisenhower and Nixon. However, the most contentious presidential duo was Andrew Jackson and John C. Calhoun. Their disagreements began during Jackson's presidency and persisted through the Nullification Crisis. Nullification occurs when a state refuses to comply with a federal law within its borders due to belief in its unconstitutionality. South Carolina, under the leadership of John C.

Calhoun, objected to protective tariffs in 1828 and 1832 because they were perceived as favoring the North over the South.

During this era, the American governmental system was relatively new, with intense conflict between state and federal authority. In the midst of crisis, Calhoun threatened to secede from the Union to demonstrate state government strength to Jackson and the nation. When tensions peaked, Jackson resolved the conflict. Ultimately, President Andrew Jackson's actions regarding John C. Calhoun and the Nullification Crisis preserved the Union while showcasing the authority of the federal government.

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Before discussing Jackson's actions during the Nullification Crisis, it is important to understand the origins of their disagreements. In 1829, just before taking office, Jackson's friend John Eaton married Peggy O'Neale Timberlake, a controversial widow who would later become his secretary of war. Following their marriage, other women were expected to accept Peggy as an equal because of her new role as a public figure's wife, which they strongly opposed. Despite this opposition, Jackson defended Peggy's character and insisted that she was "chaste as a virgin" (Barzman 56).

While most of Jackson's associates' wives followed his advice and treated Mrs. Eaton as an equal in society, Floride Calhoun, wife of John C. Calhoun, refused to do so. Calhoun claimed he could not (or would not) convince his wife to change her position on this matter. This refusal by Calhoun further strained his relationship with the newly elected President.

Despite coming from similar regions and sharing a dedication to their home states, the primary factor driving their strained relationship was their conflicting political beliefs. Jackson, a firm nationalist, prioritized preserving the Union and federal power over state authority. In contrast, Calhoun shifted from being a nationalist to an extreme advocate for states' rights, setting the stage for a significant disagreement between the president and vice-president and hinting at Calhoun's future plans for South Carolina (Barzman 56).

Calhoun had been preparing his information and developing his ideas for the future of South Carolina, anticipating the right moment to unveil his grand plan. He aimed to announce nullification due to the economic struggles in South Carolina, concerns about the future of slavery, and beliefs that the new tariffs favored the North over the South (The Nullification 1). Aware that Calhoun was up to something drastic, Jackson expressed his determination to preserve the Union at the Jefferson Day Dinner on April 30, 1830. In response, Calhoun affirmed, "The Union. Next to our liberties, most dear" (Barzman 58). Following his public commitment to South Carolina over the Union, Calhoun resigned as vice-president and joined the South Carolina Senate.

Less than two years later, on April 24, 1832, John Calhoun sent the South Carolina Ordinance of Nullification to Andrew Jackson, in which it was declared that the duties imposed by certain acts were null and void. Calhoun further stated that South Carolina would not submit to any use of force by the Federal Government (Hamilton 1). Jackson, shocked by this defiance towards the Union and Federal Government, was resolved to assert his authority over Calhoun and protect the preservation of the Union.

Despite Calhoun's declaration in his Ordinance that South Carolina would not react to any coercive actions by the government, Jackson was able to outmaneuver him. In 1833, Jackson had Congress enact a bill that empowered him to deploy soldiers to enforce the tariff measures ("Nullification Crisis 1"). Following the passage of the Force Bill, Jackson dispatched multiple warships and hundreds of soldiers to Charleston to uphold the government's laws.

Some argue that Jackson was wrong for challenging Calhoun's right to declare Nullification for South Carolina based on the constitution. However, Jackson's constitutional actions helped keep the United States united. By swiftly passing the Force Bill after South Carolina's Ordinance, Jackson prevented Calhoun's scheme from succeeding and South Carolina from seceding, showing the Federal Government's authority over individual states.

Realizing the consequences of enforcing the Force Bill, Calhoun sought redemption by seeking support for nullification. Despite initially trying to rally other states behind his cause, he found no solidarity among Southern states. Turning to Henry Clay for help, known as the "Great Compromiser," a compromise was reached by the end of 1833 that satisfied South Carolina and upheld Federal authority (The Nullification 2).

The negotiation process led to a gradual decrease in tariffs over ten years until they matched the levels of 1816. Jackson and Calhoun both agreed to the compromise, resolving the crisis peacefully. While some credit Henry Clay's negotiating abilities for preserving the Union, it was Jackson's Force Bill that prompted Calhoun to turn to Clay for assistance.

The significance of the Nullification Crisis in shaping the American government became evident after its resolution. Jackson's triumph over Calhoun marked a defeat for advocates of states' rights and showcased the Federal Government's power to enforce laws despite state resistance (Jackson vs. Calhoun - Part 2 2).

With his actions, Jackson not only increased the American people's trust in the Federal Government but also made them see that having state governments stronger than the Federal government would not be advantageous for the nation. Additionally, Jackson's second achievement was maintaining the Union, preventing any violence over states' rights for three decades. If Calhoun's desires had been met, the Union could have dissolved, leading South Carolina to become a significant self-governing territory.

The contentious relationship between Andrew Jackson and John C. Calhoun stemmed from their differing political philosophies. This discord ultimately led to the Nullification Crisis, during which Calhoun prioritized the interests of his home state over that of the union by attempting to secede and assert state government authority. Jackson, however, was determined to prevent states from overpowering the federal government and enacted the Force Bill to enforce federal laws in South Carolina. Despite Calhoun's efforts, the federal government emerged victorious, solidifying its authority. Jackson's actions during the Crisis were crucial in preserving the unity of the United States as it exists today, despite the ongoing tension surrounding states' rights.