In late 1828, Vice President John C. Calhoun anonymously published the South Carolina Exposition and Protest in response to the Tariff of 1828, which he viewed as detrimental to the Southern economy. The Tariff, which imposed high duties on imported goods, was seen by many Southerners as a measure that disproportionately benefited Northern manufacturers while harming Southern agricultural interests. Calhoun's document argued that such federal tariffs violated states' rights, establishing a foundation for the doctrine of nullification.

The South Carolina Exposition not only criticized the immediate economic impact of the tariffs but also introduced the theoretical framework claiming that states had the right to nullify federal laws that they deemed unconstitutional. This concept stemmed from the idea that the Constitution was a compact among sovereign states, granting them authority over federal acts. Calhoun's arguments resonated deeply in the South, leading to significant political discourse surrounding federalism and states' rights, effectively setting the stage for future conflicts.

The anonymous publication ignited debates in Congress and among Southern leaders, with growing discontent towards federal authority becoming evident. Although published anonymously, many recognized Calhoun's hand in the exposition, and it catalyzed a movement that would gain momentum leading into the 1830s. The document became a rallying point for Southern states dissatisfied with federal policies and provided an early blueprint for the growing sectional divide in the United States, ultimately contributing to the tensions that would lead to the Civil War.