WI: American Civil War over Nullification Crisis?

Everyone keeps upping the ante, no one is willing to back off, Clay is unable to get everyone to compromise, and the battle lines are drawn. The military is finally sent in to enforce the tariff and the SC militia fights them off as they try to do so, setting the stage for bloodshed.

Can Jackson win this war? Who stays with the Union and who with South Carolina? What are the ramifications and punishments of the post-war period?
 
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Every keeps upping the ante, no one is willing to back off, and the battle lines are drawn. The military is finally sent in to enforce the tariff and the SC militia fights them.

Can Jackson win this war? Who stays with the Union and who with South Carolina?

This would be a far cry from the ACW of 1861. There would be a slaveholder (and Indian-remover) in the White House who had overwhelmingly carried the South in 1832 (whereas Lincoln got no votes at all in ten southern states). Not all the South was anti-tariff (Tennessee was mildly pro-tariff, Louisiana very much in favor of protection for sugar) but even anti-tariff Southerners generally opposed both nullification and secession. The Democratic Party of Mississippi resolved that

"The doctrines of nullification, as declared in South Carolina, and industriously attempted to be propagated in this and other States, are repugnant to the vital principles of our political system, equally absurd in theory and dangerous in practice; the extension, adoption and enforcement of which must inevitably terminate in anarchy or civil war; * * * that the constitutional right of secession from the Union, on the part of a single State, as asserted by the nullifying leaders in South Carolina, is utterly unsanctioned by the federal constitution, which was framed to 'establish,' and not to destroy the Union of the States; and that no secession can in fact take place without a subversion of the Union established, and which will not virtually amount in the effects and consequences, to a civil revolution." http://www.datasync.com/~jtaylor/Nullif.htm
 
I think the South Carolina rebellion would not last more than 6 months

Jackson didn't take crap from enemies

Calhoun and Governor Hamilton have signed their own death warrants

If Jackson is smart he finds a pro-union faction in the state to support his military actions

A loyal SC commander for the US troops being ideal

Make the nullification faction look like violent traitors

Of course Calhoun and Hamilton now have become martyrs for future secessionists (especially in the South)

Maybe the Charleston Revolt gives future Confederate leaders pause before they secede?
 
A failed attempt at secession will lead to a clear understanding of the illegality of secession.

Possibly a Supreme Court decision, possibly a constitutional amendment, possibly just precedent. Of since precedence is precisely how Common Law works, that 'just' isnt much of a limitation.

If a southern secession is attempted ittl ~1860, it wont have the constitutional leg to stand on, which will make it very different. It might not stop it, but more states might feel they want to stay out of the fight.


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As for the extent of the conflict, it will be the massed Federal government against a sinle state. The above estimate of six months sounds about right - and that might include the organizing and preparation.

As also stated above, AJ didnt take crap from anyone, and he's not going to back down or be conciliatory.

Heck, AJ vs SC, he'd probably win. With the Federal Army as well, it's a foregone conclusion.;)

(I dont like the man, but he was as badass in real life as Chuck Norris is in fiction.)
 
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I'm not certain the nullification crisis was as close to war as some historians seem to think, how do you envision the crisis actually getting to the point of war?
 
I'm not certain the nullification crisis was as close to war as some historians seem to think, how do you envision the crisis actually getting to the point of war?

1) get SC politicians more serious about secession
2) have them believe AJ's bluffing

Of course, the moment a Union army crosses the border, SC might fold, making it a two day war, say.
 
Of course, the moment a Union army crosses the border, SC might fold, making it a two day war, say.

I don't know, everything I've ever read about South Carolina's antebellum politics leads to me to believe that reason and restraint were not quite in their vocabulary nor their hearts.
 

TFSmith121

Banned
Everyne knows James L. Petigru's quote about South Carolina, right?

I don't know, everything I've ever read about South Carolina's antebellum politics leads to me to believe that reason and restraint were not quite in their vocabulary nor their hearts.

"Too small to be a republic, too large for an asylum."

Ah, Nineteenth Century snark ... a nation turns its lonely eyes to you.;)

Best,
 
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