The President and the Vice President of the United States, usually get along, however in the case of President Andrew Jackson and Vice President John C. Calhoun, they did not exactly see eye to eye on certain things. They particularly had issues with tariffs. As Jackson was more about Federal Laws and Calhoun was favorable to States Rights. This led to an ongoing issue between Jackson and Calhoun.
Then followed by countless disagreements between the two as they could not figure out a solution to the problem. Until one certain man had come up with something they could both agree on. At least for a short while. But before all of this controversy started, and before Jackson was President of the U.S., Congress had passed the Tariff of 1828, as it taxed imported goods. It particularly taxed imported goods from Europe. Which made it hard for the South, as cotton was more expensive and because there was hardly any factories in the South to produce all the supplies.
This is when John Calhoun stepped in to defend the South. As he wanted this tariff terminated. Calhoun did not agree with this Tariff, because he thought it was unconstitutional and corrupt. Due to the tax being too high and having to get the supplies from the North or from Europe. After Jackson was elected for President of the U.S., Calhoun and others hoped the Tariff of 1828 would be forgotten about.
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But Jackson had issues involving the nullification of the Tariff of 1828. This leads to a dispute at dinner as words were said between Jackson and Calhoun. Which leads to more arguments, as Jackson made changes to the Tariff of 1828 and reduced the tax on imported goods. Congress did what he asked, and called it the Tariff of 1832. As many southerners including V.P. Calhoun, were outraged by this tariff.
The state of South Carolina and Calhoun decided to nullify the Tariffs of 1828 and 1832. This is called the Nullification Ordinance, where it completely voids both tariffs. This infuriates President Jackson. He then goes as far as threatening to hang anyone who violates the tariffs. This threat was mainly for Calhoun and other nullifiers who did not agree. Jackson also wanted Congress to pass a bill called the Force Bill, and if passed by Congress it would allow him to send soldiers to use force on South Carolina to comply with his demands.
So, South Carolina and all of the nullifiers, including Calhoun, surrendered and voided the nullification ordinance. Calhoun then resigns as Vice President to be a Senator for South Carolina so he can focus on state rights. As Jackson showed his power, one would think he would be happy and one would think Calhoun to be happy as he resigned to be a Senator to protect his state rights and to fulfill other accomplishments.
But the fact is that they were not satisfied. Until Henry Clay, who was the senator of South Carolina, before Calhoun, then thought of a plan to satisfy both needs and wants for the time being, of Jackson and Calhoun. So, he produced another tariff, which reduces the tax on imported goods just a little bit more. And for a short while they both agreed on something, but this war was far from over.
