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Calhoun was Jackson's Vice President beginning in 1829, and Jackson was furious at this defiance by a state against federal authority.  At a big political dinner in 1830, Jackson stared down Calhoun with the following toast: "Our Federal Union: It must be Preserved!"<ref name="Toast">http://www.ushistory.org/us/24e.asp</ref>  Calhoun then rose and offered his different view as a toast: "The Union — next to our liberty, the most dear!"<ref name="Toast"/>  Jackson was irritated by this, and by 1832 Jackson would take the unusual step of dropping Calhoun from his ticket and replacing him with a new Vice President when Jackson ran for reelection.

Calhoun was Jackson's Vice President beginning in 1829, and Jackson was furious at this defiance by a state against federal authority.  At a big political dinner in 1830, Jackson stared down Calhoun with the following toast: "Our Federal Union: It must be Preserved!"<ref name="Toast">http://www.ushistory.org/us/24e.asp</ref>  Calhoun then rose and offered his different view as a toast: "The Union — next to our liberty, the most dear!"<ref name="Toast"/>  Jackson was irritated by this, and by 1832 Jackson would take the unusual step of dropping Calhoun from his ticket and replacing him with a new Vice President when Jackson ran for reelection.

In 1831, gossip and social scandal hit the White House, demonstrating that "National Enquirer" or tabloid-style stories were just as big back then as today.  The White House was like a social club, with members of the Presidents Cabinet of advisers and their wives being the members of this club.  In what  became known as the "Peggy Eaton Affair," gossip about the wife of the Secretary of War caused others in the Cabinet (and particularly the wives of Cabinet members) to turn against Peggy Eaton and her husband-Secretary of War.  Jackson, who still resented gossip about his wife before he was elected president, instinctively defended Peggy Eaton.  Much of the Cabinet then resigned, forcing Jackson to redo it.

In 1831, gossip and social scandal hit the White House, demonstrating that "National Enquirer" or tabloid-style stories were just as big back then as today.  The White House was like a social club, with members of the Presidents Cabinet of advisers and their wives being the members of this club.  In what  became known as the "Peggy Eaton Affair," gossip about the wife of the Secretary of War caused others in the Cabinet (and particularly the wives of Cabinet members) to turn against Peggy Eaton and her husband-Secretary of War.  Jackson, who still resented gossip about his wife before he was elected president, instinctively defended Peggy Eaton.  Much of the Cabinet then resigned, forcing Jackson to form a new Cabinet it.

 

   

   

The North-South conflict boiled over in late 1832.  South Carolina legislature passed the Ordinance of Nullification prohibiting the collection of federal duties and declaring that the use of force by the federal government would be justification for S.C. to secede from the Union.  Jackson issued a proclamation that "disunion by armed force is treason."  S.C. remained defiant.  Jackson replaced Calhoun with Martin Van Buren as his Vice President.

The North-South conflict boiled over in late 1832.  The South Carolina legislature went one step further and passed the Ordinance of Nullification prohibiting the collection of federal duties and declaring that the use of force by the federal government would be justification for South Carolina to secede from the Union.  Jackson issued a proclamation that "disunion by armed force is treason."  But South Carolina remained defiant.  Jackson was furious, declaring that "if a single drop of blood is shed there in opposition to the laws of the United States, then I will hang the first person I can lay my hand on, upon the first tree I can reach."<ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=_34AAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA363&lpg=PA363&dq=%22Andrew+Jackson%22+tree+hang+Calhoun&source=web&ots=Q_px3n4woz&sig=44JZJpNJNxKrQjFAbYlVCj0nv_4&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=5&ct=result "A Students' History of the United States," By Edward Channing]</ref> Jackson replaced Calhoun with Martin Van Buren as his Vice President.

Jackson in early 1833 asked for the Force Bill to use federal troops to enforce the revenue laws, but also lowered the tariff.  S.C. suspended its ordinance of nullification and the conflict was diffused.

In early 1833, Jackson asked for the Force Bill to use federal troops to enforce the revenue laws, but also lowered the tariff.  South Carolina suspended its ordinance of nullification and the conflict was diffused.

'''Debate:  Can a State nullify an act of Congress?  Can a State secede (withdraw) from the United States?'''

'''Debate:  Can a State nullify an act of Congress?  Can a State secede (withdraw) from the United States?'''