States' Rights and the Nullification Crisis

In 1828 a protective tariff was placed on imported goods. This started an uproar in the south because it increased the cost of goods not made in the U.S. They were afraid that these tariffs would effect their cotton sales to other countries. Until, South Carolinian, John C. Calhoun gave states the right to nullify, or invalidate, a law they saw as unconstitutional. Eventually though, Congress deemed the tariff as unconstitutional and removed it. This was only the beginning of people being able to freely voice their opinion, and never had states' rights been of more importance.

(Below is how a tariff works)