Final answer:
The doctrine of nullification proposed that states could nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional. It came to prominence during the 1830s nullification crisis under President Andrew Jackson. The crisis was resolved with both a show of federal might and tariff reductions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The doctrine of nullification is a historical concept which posits that states have the authority to nullify, or invalidate, any federal law that they considered unconstitutional. The most notable crisis surrounding this doctrine occurred in the 1830s during President Andrew Jackson's administration. A fierce standoff over the tariffs of 1828 and 1832 led South Carolina to assert its right to nullify federal laws, which resulted in a confrontation with the federal government. The idea of nullification was rooted in the belief that the Constitution was a compact among sovereign states, allowing them to judge the constitutionality of federal actions. This position was articulated in the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions, which were passed in response to the Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798. The nullification crisis was defused by a combination of the Force Bill, which empowered Jackson to use military action against states defying federal law, and the Compromise Tariff of 1833, which reduced tariffs over time.