The economic impact of the tariffs: The tariffs passed by Congress in the 1820s and 1830s had a negative impact on the southern economy. The tariffs made it more expensive for southerners to import goods from Europe, and it also made it more difficult for them to sell their cotton to European markets.
The political power of the South: The South was a powerful political force in the early 19th century. Southerners held a majority in the Senate, and they also had a strong influence in the House of Representatives. This political power gave them the ability to block legislation that they opposed, including the tariffs.