We can analyze how the Nullification Crisis contributed to growing divisions between different sections of the United States.
South Carolina seceded from the Union 27 years later, in 1860. How did the Nullification Crisis contribute to South Carolina's secession?
The Nullification Crisis contributed to South Carolina's secession by...
By studying this visual, students might:
- Congress passed a tariff that helped the North but hurt the South.
- South Carolina responded with the Nullification Act.
- President Andrew Jackson threatened to use force.
- Vice President John C. Calhoun supported South Carolina’s stance.
- The timeline includes years 1828, 1832, and 1833, showing how the event escalated.
- Why was the tariff such a big deal to the South?
- Could other states also nullify laws they didn’t like?
- Why did Calhoun support South Carolina but Jackson didn’t?
- What would have happened if Jackson had actually used force?
- How did this event influence the decision to secede later?
Extending the Discussion
- After randomly calling on students, if there is anything from this list that was not mentioned, then ask the class, "Did anyone notice...?"
- After students have shared what they notice, ask the class, "Did anyone wonder...?" using the suggestions above or anything else you might think is interesting or relevant to the lesson.
Structured Conversation Prompts
What occurred during the Nullification Crisis?
During the Nullification Crisis, ...
How is the Nullification Crisis related to states' rights?
The Nullification Crisis is related to states' rights because...
South Carolina seceded from the Union 27 years later, in 1860. How did the Nullification Crisis contribute to South Carolina's secession?
The Nullification Crisis contributed to South Carolina's secession by...
Example Student Responses to the Observational Question
During the Nullification Crisis, South Carolina didn’t want the tariff, so they said no to the law.
During the Nullification Crisis, South Carolina’s legislature passed the Nullification Act to reject a federal tariff, arguing it hurt their economy and violated states’ rights.
Responding to Responses
Emphasize and celebrate each student's use of the key vocabulary to support a culture of "no wrong answers."
Structuring Student Conversations
Have students list observations from the visual as a warm-up, then use the Q-SSS-A process to guide small-group conversations. In the slide decks, brackets can be moved to prepare the structured conversation. In the example to the right, students will be instructed: Q-SSS-A.
- To put a thumb up, then lower their hand when they are ready to answer the question
- To share with their elbow/shoulder partner, and that the student with the darkest shoe will share first
- That they will be randomly called on after the conversation
Here is an example of structuring a conversation with Q-SSS-A.
Note: the inferential question is the same as the language objective. It is recommended that students answer the inferential question in a small-group discussion before answering it individually as the closure or exit ticket of the lesson.
Structured Reading
Purpose for Reading: The purpose for reading is to explore how economic and political disagreements during the Nullification Crisis revealed tensions in the United States.
- Differences in how the North and South felt about the tariff
- Actions taken by South Carolina
- Reactions of federal leaders like Andrew Jackson
- Examples of states’ rights
- Any compromises or resolutions
How did the Nullification Crisis expose tensions between the North and South and between federal and state governments?
The Nullification Crisis exposed tensions between the North and South and between federal and state governments by...
Structuring the Reading
Communicate the purpose of reading to the students and instruct them to make a note every time they see something on the PAT ("Pay Attention To") list. How you have students note items on the PAT list is up to you. This could include:
- Putting an asterisk in the margin
- Underlining text that supports the PAT list
- Putting a comment in the margin
Follow the reading with the post-reading discussion. Structure this discussion using the Q-SSS-A process just like the structured conversations in this lesson.
Note: you might find the relational question is better discussed before or after the reading. This depends on whether the relational question is directly related to the reading or might make connections across units.
Differentiating the Reading
You will notice that three different reading passages are provided with this lesson. Look at the shapes in the top-left of each passage to determine the grade level.
In a class with students at diverse reading level proficiencies, you can give the appropriate reading passage to different students, while having all students follow the same PAT list and post-reading discussion.