University of Texas, Arlington_HIST 1301_HIST final assignment-REVIEWED AND EDITED BY EXPERTS-2021

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· Under what grounds does Daniel Webster (Document #1) oppose the doctrine of the ability of a state to nullify federal laws? What justifications does South Carolina (Document #2) employ to defend ... their decision to nullify federal laws? In comparing these two primary documents, whose arguments regarding the concept of nullification are most persuasive to you and why? Daniel Webster was a skilled orator and attorney who was also an elected congressman of New Hampshire in 1813. He gave out a speech in response to Robert Haye's and also John C. Calhoun's argument that states had the powerr to protect liberties by resisting federal laws they deemed Unconstitutional. Webster states that the Constitution is "the people's Constitution, the people's government, made for the people, made by the people and answerable to the people."(Webster)He asserted that the general government and state government derive their authority from the same source.He says that all people had agreed upon the Constitution for all, and that it did not individuate states to make war; or different regulations of commerce or make their own money. (Webster) Also, that no state law that conflicts with the Constitution will be valid. He emphasized that preserving this union, this liberty, was the only way to ensure posterity, for themselves and generations to come. He believed that the declarations of the constitution were the foundation of a government and without them, it remained a confederation. Webster explained that the Constitution declares, “the Constitution and the laws of the United States made in pursuance thereof shall be the supreme law of the land, anything in the Constitution of laws of any state to the contrary, not withstanding, “Liberty and Union”, now and forever, one and inseparable.” (Webster) In 1828, congress passed a high protective tariff, which was known as the tariffs of abominations in the south. The south especially South Carolina's which was benefittting from exporting food and importing manufactured goods was in favor of free comtrade and opposed the protectiv tariffs. President Andrew Jackson responded by asking congress to grant him the authority to use the military force to collect tax revenues by passing the Force Bill of 1833. [Show More]

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