Nullifier Party
Encyclopedia
The Nullifier Party was a short-lived political party
based in South Carolina
in the 1830s. Started by John C. Calhoun
, it was a states' rights
party that supported the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions
, holding that States could nullify federal laws within their borders. They had several members in both houses of the United States Congress
between 1831 and 1839.
Calhoun outlined the principles of the party in his South Carolina Exposition and Protest
(1828), a reaction to the "Tariff of Abominations" passed by Congress and signed into law by President John Quincy Adams
.
The party supported Calhoun ally John Floyd
of Virginia for president in the 1832 election
, and the state legislature gave Floyd South Carolina's 11 electoral votes, even though Floyd was not a candidate and had himself unsuccessfully tried to convince Calhoun to run for president.
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
based in South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
in the 1830s. Started by John C. Calhoun
John C. Calhoun
John Caldwell Calhoun was a leading politician and political theorist from South Carolina during the first half of the 19th century. Calhoun eloquently spoke out on every issue of his day, but often changed positions. Calhoun began his political career as a nationalist, modernizer, and proponent...
, it was a states' rights
States' rights
States' rights in U.S. politics refers to political powers reserved for the U.S. state governments rather than the federal government. It is often considered a loaded term because of its use in opposition to federally mandated racial desegregation...
party that supported the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions
Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions
The Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions were political statements drafted in 1798 and 1799, in which the Kentucky and Virginia legislatures took the position that the federal Alien and Sedition Acts were unconstitutional...
, holding that States could nullify federal laws within their borders. They had several members in both houses of the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
between 1831 and 1839.
Calhoun outlined the principles of the party in his South Carolina Exposition and Protest
South Carolina Exposition and Protest
The South Carolina Exposition and Protest, also known as Calhoun's Exposition, was written in December 1828 by John C. Calhoun, then vice president under John Quincy Adams and later under Andrew Jackson. Calhoun did not formally state his authorship at the time, though it was known.The document was...
(1828), a reaction to the "Tariff of Abominations" passed by Congress and signed into law by President John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams was the sixth President of the United States . He served as an American diplomat, Senator, and Congressional representative. He was a member of the Federalist, Democratic-Republican, National Republican, and later Anti-Masonic and Whig parties. Adams was the son of former...
.
The party supported Calhoun ally John Floyd
John Floyd (Virginia politician)
John Floyd was a Virginia politician and soldier. He represented Virginia in the United States House of Representatives and later served as the 25th Governor of Virginia....
of Virginia for president in the 1832 election
United States presidential election, 1832
The United States presidential election of 1832 saw incumbent President Andrew Jackson, candidate of the Democratic Party, easily win re-election against Henry Clay of Kentucky. Jackson won 219 of the 286 electoral votes cast, defeating Clay, the candidate of the National Republican Party, and...
, and the state legislature gave Floyd South Carolina's 11 electoral votes, even though Floyd was not a candidate and had himself unsuccessfully tried to convince Calhoun to run for president.
Notable members
- John C. CalhounJohn C. CalhounJohn Caldwell Calhoun was a leading politician and political theorist from South Carolina during the first half of the 19th century. Calhoun eloquently spoke out on every issue of his day, but often changed positions. Calhoun began his political career as a nationalist, modernizer, and proponent...
- Robert Y. HayneRobert Y. HayneRobert Young Hayne was an American political leader.-Early life:Born in St. Pauls Parish, Colleton District, South Carolina, Hayne studied law in the office of Langdon Cheves in Charleston, South Carolina, and in November 1812 was admitted to the bar there, soon obtaining a large practice...
- John FloydJohn Floyd (Virginia politician)John Floyd was a Virginia politician and soldier. He represented Virginia in the United States House of Representatives and later served as the 25th Governor of Virginia....
- Stephen D. MillerStephen Decatur MillerStephen Decatur Miller was an American politician, who served as the 52nd Governor of South Carolina from 1828 to 1830. He represented South Carolina as a U.S. Representative from 1817 to 1819, and as a U.S. Senator from 1831 to 1833.He was born in Waxhaw settlement, South Carolina and graduated...
- James H. HammondJames Henry HammondJames Henry Hammond was a politician from South Carolina. He served as a United States Representative from 1835 to 1836, the 60th Governor of South Carolina from 1842 to 1844, and United States Senator from 1857 to 1860...
- William C. PrestonWilliam C. PrestonWilliam Campbell Preston was a senator from the United States and a member of the Nullifier, and later Whig Parties...
- Henry L. PinckneyHenry L. PinckneyHenry Laurens Pinckney was a U.S. Representative from South Carolina, and the son of Charles Pinckney....
- Robert B. CampbellRobert B. CampbellRobert Blair Campbell was a U.S. Representative from South Carolina, brother of John Campbell, also of South Carolina.Born in Marlboro County, South Carolina, Campbell was educated by a private tutor....
- William K. ClowneyWilliam K. ClowneyWilliam Kennedy Clowney was a U.S. Representative from South Carolina.Born in Union County, South Carolina, Clowney attended private schools and an academy. He was graduated from the South Carolina College at Columbia in 1818....
- Warren R. DavisWarren R. DavisWarren Ransom Davis was an American attorney and Representative from South Carolina's 6th congressional district from 1827-35....
- John Myers FelderJohn Myers FelderJohn Myers Felder was born in the vicinity of Orangeburg, South Carolina, on July 7, 1782. He graduated from Yale University in 1804, a roommate and close friend of John Caldwell Calhoun. He was admitted to the bar in 1808 and was elected to the South Carolina State house of representatives in 1812...
- John K. GriffinJohn K. GriffinJohn King Griffin was a U.S. Representative from South Carolina.Born near Clinton, South Carolina, Griffin pursued an academic course.He engaged as a planter.He served in the State house of representatives 1816–1819....
- Francis Wilkinson PickensFrancis Wilkinson PickensFrancis Wilkinson Pickens was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 69th Governor of South Carolina when the state seceded from the United States during the American Civil War.-Early life and career:...
- George McDuffieGeorge McDuffieGeorge McDuffie was the 55th Governor of South Carolina and a member of the United States Senate.Born of modest means in Columbia County, Georgia, McDuffie's extraordinary intellect was noticed while clerking at a store in Augusta, Georgia...
- Franklin H. ElmoreFranklin H. ElmoreFranklin Harper Elmore was a United States Representative and Senator. Born in Laurens District, he graduated from the South Carolina College at Columbia in 1819, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1821 and commenced practice in Walterboro...