What was Calhoun’s rationale for his claim that states had the right to nullify federal law? A. State-by-state conventions had ratified the Constitution, which therefore held more power.

B. The Tariff of Abominations was applicable only to certain states, so they could nullify laws.
C. Federal laws had only been established by a small, elite group of men, and therefore could be overturned.
D. The South was rightfully its own country and should secede from the Union, thereby circumventing laws.

C. Federal laws had only been established by a small, elite group of men, and therefore could be overturned.