Quote Originally Posted by Biggin View Post
And Stripes I am not sure about what you are referring to. There was a 1/8 cent tax hike per pound on cotton, but it was implemented to try and raise money to pay back a $15 million dollar loan. But the South already had their voluntary embargo working at high pace, therefore only $30,000 was raised by the new tax.
The southern states were where 80% if not more of the countries imports/exports took place. Because of that southern businessmen were being hit with the greatest percentage of tariffs due to this. Free trade had been a huge deal for many southern businessmen of that time, and after the 1857 tariff, taxes had dropped to one of the lowest percentages worldwide, but still that meant that most taxes were coming from Southern states. In 1860 the Morrill tariff was put together by Rep. Morrill of Vermont which raised rates by 60%. It had basically no support from southern representatives because it effected their constistences the most. After succession, the amended the bill raising rates even higher to help pay for the Civil War.

That was another big reason why GB supported the Confederates and their attempts to keep free trade available.