U.S. tariffs were a hotly debated topic during the antebellum era.Tariffs are a tax on an imported good.
Northern industrialists and business owners, during this time, were in favor of tariffs.This is because tariffs increase the price of goods being imported to the US. Since the prices of these goods increase, it gives American business owners and manufactures a competitive edge, as their products will be cheaper. Since their products are cheaper citizens will more than likely buy from them.
On the other hand, many Southerners hated the idea of tariffs. This is due to the fact that many Southerns relied on trade with other countries in order to make profits on goods such as cotton. Other countries were less likely to trade with the US if there was a significant tariff in place.
This problem became a focal point during the election of 1860 and continued to cause tension between the Northern and Southern politicians.
