The Nullification Crisis, American Republicanism, and the Force Bill Debate

The nullification crisis of of 1832-1833 was one of the major precedent sectional conflicts before the Civil War. It is apparent that most of the participants to the conflict did not view it as a prelude to war. No other southern states defended the nullification ordinances of South Carolina, therefore limiting sectional interpretation of the crisis. Although the nullification crisis was externally viewed at the time as a question of sovereignty, it was actually a question of republicanism.