Politics and Public Service
John C. Calhoun
1782-1850
John Caldwell Calhoun was born in Abbeville, South Carolina, the son of a farmer. He received little formal education early in life, but was able to graduate with honors from Yale, in 1804. He remained in Connecticut to study law, but returned to his home state and was admitted to the bar in 1807. Calhoun served briefly in the state assembly, but was elected to Congress where he quickly aligned himself with the War Hawks. At this stage of his career he was an ardent nationalist, supporting Henry Clay's American System. Calhoun served as secretary of war under James Monroe. In the Election of 1824 Calhoun was elected vice president under John Quincy Adams; the president and vice president had a rocky relationship. In the Election of 1828 Calhoun retained the vice presidency, this time under Andrew Jackson. Calhouns views on the tariff question underwent a total change, from support in 1828, to strident opposition a short time later. The more radical elements in South Carolina supported the concept of nullification, but Calhoun initially counseled restraint. The Tariff of 1832, however, re-ignited the debate and led to a special convention, which nullified the federal law within the confines of South Carolina. Calhoun again urged moderation and worked with Clay to bring about a compromise tariff measure. However, Calhoun resigned the vice presidency in order to take a seat in the Senate where he thought that he could more effectively advance Southern interests. As the years passed it became evident that Calhoun had made the transition from nationalist to states rights advocate. Most troubling to his opponents was his justification of the institution of slavery. Upset by legislative threats to slavery, Calhoun secured passage of a gag rule, which automatically tabled resolutions dealing with the sensitive topic. At the end of his career, Calhoun warned that the nation had become divided and that the Union was in danger. Nevertheless, he never sanctioned the idea of secession.
Off-site search results for "John C. Calhoun"... John C. Calhoun
... Calhoun County created Creation of Georgia Counties Calhoun County, Georgia John C. Calhoun Return to Index Front History 101 Early Georgia American Indians Search Wars People Timeline Lists Places PoetryJohn C. Calhoun Return to Index Front History 101 Early Georgia American Indians Search Wars People Timeline Lists Places Poetry All of the ...
http://ourgeorgiahistory.com/chronpop/1000110
John C. Calhoun: He Started the Civil War
... Civil War If one person could be called the instigator of the Civil War, it was John C. Calhoun -- genius pragmatist, and racist. By Ethan S. Rafuse Slavery was the foundation of the antebellum South. More than any other charactJohn C. Calhoun -- genius pragmatist, and racist. By Ethan S. Rafuse Slavery was the foundation of the antebellum South. More than any other characteristic, it ...
http://www.historynet.com/cwti/bljcalhoun
John C. Calhoun on the Clay Compromise Measures - 1850
Calhoun March 4, 1850 John C. Calhoun This is among John C. Calhoun's most famous speeches. He was too ill to deliver it himself, so it was read by another senator with Calhoun present in the Senate Chamber. Calhoun, so ill he had tJohn C. Calhoun This is among John C. Calhoun's most famous speeches. He was too ill to deliver it himself, so it was read by another senator with Calhoun present in the Senate Chamber. Calhoun, so ill he hadJohn C. Calhoun's most famous speeches. He was too ill to deliver it himself, so it was read by another senator with Calhoun present in the Senate Chamber. Calhoun, so ill he had to be helped ...
http://www.nationalcenter.org/CalhounClayCompromise.html
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