The tariffs bills of 1828 and 1832 had so outraged the south that the state of South Carolina threated to succeed from the Union and John C. Calhoun resigned as vice president of the United States.
The tariffs of 1828 had raised import duties to 62% of the value of the imports. These duties applied to 92% of all imports. The tariffs were designed to protect factories in the Northern states from competition from England and other European countries.
The results of these import taxes were devastating to the South. England could not afford to buy as much Southern Cotton. The South had to import almost everything as there was little manufacturing in the south. Cost went up by almost 50% and income went down. The money raised by these taxes was spent mainly in the North on railroads, roads and canals to help northern industry.
