Morrill Tariff Act

Early in 1861, after enough antiprotection southern members had seceded, congress passed the Morrill Tariff Act, suspending the low tariff of 1857. It increased the existing duties some five to ten percent , about the same level as the Walker Tariff of 1846. The rates later increased due to necessities of the war. The increase was designed to raise additional revenue and to provide more protection for the prosperous manufacturers who were being plucked by internal taxes . A protective tariff thus became identified with the Republican party.