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Simple English definitions for legal terms
nullification doctrine
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A quick definition of nullification doctrine:
The nullification doctrine is a belief held by some southern states before the Civil War. It says that a state has the power to say that a federal law is not allowed because it goes against the Constitution. This means that the state can ignore the law and not follow it.
A more thorough explanation:
The nullification doctrine is a theory that was supported by southern states before the Civil War. It advocates for a state's right to declare a federal law unconstitutional and therefore void.
For example, in 1832, South Carolina passed an ordinance that declared the federal tariffs of 1828 and 1832 unconstitutional and unenforceable within the state. This was based on the nullification doctrine, which argued that states had the power to nullify federal laws that they deemed unconstitutional.
The nullification doctrine was a controversial issue that ultimately contributed to the outbreak of the Civil War. It challenged the authority of the federal government and raised questions about the balance of power between the states and the federal government.