In November, South Carolina's legislature convened and passed the Ordinance of Nullification, a bold declaration asserting that the federal Tariffs of 1828 and 1832 were unconstitutional and therefore null and void within the state's borders. The tariffs had been designed to protect Northern industries by imposing high duties on imported goods, but they were deeply unpopular in the agrarian South, where they were viewed as detrimental to the cotton economy. The Southern economy relied heavily on exports, and these tariffs increased the cost of goods consumed by the Southern states while limiting their exports, leading to significant economic strain. Governor Robert Y. Hayne and influential politician John C. Calhoun, a strong proponent of states' rights, spearheaded this anti-tariff sentiment, arguing that states had the sovereign right to nullify federal laws they deemed unjust.The Ordinance of Nullification effectively marked a significant turning point in the federal-state relations in the United States. It was a prelude to a larger conflict over states’ rights and federal authority, culminating in the Nullification Crisis. Within weeks, President Andrew Jackson firmly opposed South Carolina's actions, seeking to enforce federal laws and collected tariffs. The disagreement escalated, causing tensions that hinted at the larger national crises to come, especially as sectional differences over slavery and economic interests deepened.The Nullification Crisis brought about a constitutional debate on the balance of power between state and federal governments, leading to significant discussions about sovereignty and the legal concept of nullification. South Carolina’s assertions challenged the federal government’s authority, creating precedents that would be later revisited in countless conflicts, setting the stage for the Civil War, and reshaping the landscape of American governance.