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'''John C. Calhoun''' (1782-1850) was an American statesman and political theorist who had a significant impact on the ida of minority rights and on conservative political thought. He held every major post except president, serving in the House, Senate and vice presidency, as well as secretary of war and state. A powerful intellect, Calhoun eloquently spoke out on every issue of his day, from 1812 to 1850, but is best known for his intense and original defense of slavery as a positive good and for pointing the South toward secession from the Union.  He was the chief spokesman for the white South, portraying it as a minority that was threatened by the North.  

'''John C. Calhoun''' (1782-1850) was an American statesman and political theorist who first proclaimed the idea of minority rights; he had a significant impact on conservative political thought and is still studied. He held every major post except president, serving in the House, Senate and vice presidency, as well as secretary of war and state. A powerful intellect, Calhoun eloquently spoke out on every issue of his day, from 1812 to 1850, but is best known for his intense and original defense of slavery as a positive good and for pointing the South toward secession from the Union.  He was the chief spokesman for the white South, portraying it as a minority that was threatened by the North.  

Calhoun was the seventh Vice President of the [[United States]] under [[John Quincy Adams]] and [[Andrew Jackson]].  He previously served as [[James Monroe]]'s Secretary of War.  He resigned from office to fill a [[South Carolina]] [[Senate]] seat.  He was the first Vice President to resign from office.  His last words were "The South, the poor south."  <ref> [[Fandex]], Workman Publishing.  </ref>

Calhoun was the seventh Vice President of the [[United States]] under [[John Quincy Adams]] and [[Andrew Jackson]].  He previously served as [[James Monroe]]'s Secretary of War.  He resigned from office to fill a [[South Carolina]] [[Senate]] seat.  He was the first Vice President to resign from office.  His last words were "The South, the poor south."  <ref> [[Fandex]], Workman Publishing.  </ref>

==Personal life==

==Personal life==

Calhoun was born in Abbeville, South Carolina, 1782 into a Scotch-Irish family that had emigrated from Ireland to Pennsylvania in 1733, then moved down the Appalachian Mountain valley into the South Carolina back country in the 1760s. His father became rich, owning lands and 20 to 40 slaves in a region where slaves were not yet common. Life was still raw and rough on the frontier, and violence was very much part of people's memories: his father's mother had been killed by Cherokee Indians in 1760, and his mother's brother, John Caldwell, after whom he was named, had been murdered by Loyalists during the [[American Revolution]]. His father, who had survived the Indian massacre of 1760, had a stubborn independence and, as Calhoun recalled, "a certain degree of contempt for the forms of civilized life." He had a passion for liberty and a deep dislike of far-removed government; he opposed ratification of the federal Constitution on the grounds that "we ought never to give others the power to tax us."  His father died in 1795 when John was only 13. In a very unusual move for the era, the young man went to New England to attend Yale College, graduating in 1804, then studied law at one of the nation's first law schools, that run by Tapping Reeve at Litchfield, Connecticut. After further training in Charleston, South Carolina, he was admitted to the bar in 1807 and began practice near his family home. In 1811 he married Floride Bonneau Colhoun, a wealthy second cousin who provided entree to high society in Charleston. They had nine children and lived at "Fort Hill", a cotton plantation he built,and operated by a white overseer and dozens of slaves.  He had a substantial but routine law practice and was soon bored. He was elected as a [[Democratic-Republican Party|Jeffersonian Republican]] to the state legislature in 1808 and to Congress in 1810.

Calhoun was born in Abbeville, South Carolina, 1782 into a Scotch-Irish family that had emigrated from Ireland to Pennsylvania in 1733, then moved down the Appalachian Mountain valley into the South Carolina back country in the 1760s. His father became rich, owning lands and 20 to 40 slaves in a region where slaves were not yet common. Life was still raw and rough on the frontier, and violence was very much part of people's memories: his father's mother had been killed by Cherokee Indians in 1760, and his mother's brother, John Caldwell, after whom he was named, had been murdered by Loyalists during the [[American Revolution]]. His father, who had survived the Indian massacre of 1760, had a stubborn independence and, as Calhoun recalled, "a certain degree of contempt for the forms of civilized life." He had a passion for liberty and a deep dislike of far-removed government; he opposed ratification of the federal Constitution on the grounds that "we ought never to give others the power to tax us."  His father died in 1795 when John was only 13. In a very unusual move for the era, the young man went to New England to attend Yale College, graduating in 1804, then studied law at one of the nation's first law schools, that run by Tapping Reeve at Litchfield, Connecticut. After further training in Charleston, South Carolina, he was admitted to the bar in 1807 and began practice near his family home. In 1811 he married Floride Bonneau Colhoun, a wealthy second cousin who provided entrée to high society in Charleston. They had nine children and lived at "Fort Hill", a cotton plantation he built,and operated by a white overseer and dozens of slaves.  He had a substantial but routine law practice and was soon bored. He was elected as a [[Democratic-Republican Party|Jeffersonian Republican]] to the state legislature in 1808 and to Congress in 1810.

Like so many ambitious young politicians who came of age after the Constitution took effect in 1789 (including Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, and John Quincy Adams), Calhoun was profoundly shaped by the Founding Fathers' faith in the potential of republican government.  

Like so many ambitious young politicians who came of age after the Constitution took effect in 1789 (including Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, and John Quincy Adams), Calhoun was profoundly shaped by the Founding Fathers' faith in the potential of republican government.  

Most historians argue that nullification (and, in 1860) secession) were reactionary efforts to turn back the [[abolitionist]] assault on slavery. Wood (2003) rejects the assumption that Calhoun and his followers were un-American because they resorted to nullification. Woods argues that the longstanding conservative Southern interpretation of [[Republicanism, U.S.|republican]] ideology and its persistence in the South and says the "Nullifiers" viewed their attempts at nullification and secession as well within the framers' views of republicanism. The Constitution produced by the federal convention of 1787 and the structure of the new government that was formed after the Bill of Rights in 1791 further illuminate the significance of the connection between states' rights, nullification, and republicanism.<ref>W. Kirk Wood, "In Defense of the Republic: John C. Calhoun and State Interposition in South Carolina, 1776-1833." ''Southern Studies'' 2003 10(1-2): 9-48. Issn: 0735-8342  </ref>

Most historians argue that nullification (and, in 1860) secession) were reactionary efforts to turn back the [[abolitionist]] assault on slavery. Wood (2003) rejects the assumption that Calhoun and his followers were un-American because they resorted to nullification. Woods argues that the longstanding conservative Southern interpretation of [[Republicanism, U.S.|republican]] ideology and its persistence in the South and says the "Nullifiers" viewed their attempts at nullification and secession as well within the framers' views of republicanism. The Constitution produced by the federal convention of 1787 and the structure of the new government that was formed after the Bill of Rights in 1791 further illuminate the significance of the connection between states' rights, nullification, and republicanism.<ref>W. Kirk Wood, "In Defense of the Republic: John C. Calhoun and State Interposition in South Carolina, 1776-1833." ''Southern Studies'' 2003 10(1-2): 9-48. Issn: 0735-8342  </ref>

==Democratic politics==

==Democratic politics==

To restore his national stature, Calhoun cooperated with Jackson's success, [[Martin Van Buren]], who became president in 1837. Democrats were very hostile to national banks, and the country's bankers had joined the opposition [[Whig Party]]. The Democratic replacement was the "Independent Treasury" system, shich Calhoun supported and which went into effect. Calhoun, like Jackson and Van Buren, raged against finance capitalism, which he saw as the common enemy of the Northern laborer, the Southern planter, and the small farmer everywhere. His goal, therefore, was to unite these groups in the Democratic Party, and to dedicate that party to states' rights and agricultural interests as barriers against encroachment by government and big business.  

To restore his national stature, Calhoun cooperated with Jackson's success, [[Martin Van Buren]], who became president in 1837. Democrats were very hostile to national banks, and the country's bankers had joined the opposition [[Whig Party]]. The Democratic replacement was the "Independent Treasury" system, which Calhoun supported and which went into effect. Calhoun, like Jackson and Van Buren, raged against finance capitalism, which he saw as the common enemy of the Northern laborer, the Southern planter, and the small farmer everywhere. His goal, therefore, was to unite these groups in the Democratic Party, and to dedicate that party to states' rights and agricultural interests as barriers against encroachment by government and big business.  

When Whig president William Henry Harrison died after a month in office in 1841, vice president [[John Tyler]] took office.  Tyler was a Democrat and broke botterly with the Whigs, and named Calhoun Secretary of State in 1844. Public opinion was inflamed about the Oregon country, claimed by both Britain and the U.S. Calhoun compromised by splitting the area down the middle at the 49th parallel, ending the wear threat.<ref> The British area became British Columbia; the American area became Washington and Oregon.</ref>  Tyler and Calhoun were eager to annex the independent Republic of [[Texas]], which wanted to join the Union. Texas was slave country and anti-slavery elements in the North denounced annexation as a plot to enlarge the [[Slave Power]] (that is, the excess political power controlled by slave owners). When the Senate could not muster a 2/3 vote to pass a treaty of annexation with Texas, Calhoun devised a joint resolution of the Houses of Congress, requiring only a simple majority; Texas joined the Union. Mexico had warned all along that it would go to war if Texas joined the Union; war broke out in 1846.

When Whig president William Henry Harrison died after a month in office in 1841, vice president [[John Tyler]] took office.  Tyler was a Democrat and broke bitterly with the Whigs, and named Calhoun Secretary of State in 1844. Public opinion was inflamed about the Oregon country, claimed by both Britain and the U.S. Calhoun compromised by splitting the area down the middle at the 49th parallel, ending the wear threat.<ref> The British area became British Columbia; the American area became Washington and Oregon.</ref>  Tyler and Calhoun were eager to annex the independent Republic of [[Texas]], which wanted to join the Union. Texas was slave country and anti-slavery elements in the North denounced annexation as a plot to enlarge the [[Slave Power]] (that is, the excess political power controlled by slave owners). When the Senate could not muster a 2/3 vote to pass a treaty of annexation with Texas, Calhoun devised a joint resolution of the Houses of Congress, requiring only a simple majority; Texas joined the Union. Mexico had warned all along that it would go to war if Texas joined the Union; war broke out in 1846.

   

   

==Rejects Compromise of 1850==

==Rejects Compromise of 1850==

The ''Disquisition'' was published shortly after his death as was his other book, ''Discourse on the Constitution and Government of the United States.''

The ''Disquisition'' was published shortly after his death as was his other book, ''Discourse on the Constitution and Government of the United States.''

==Further reading==

==Further reading==

*  Bartlett, Irving H. ''John C. Calhoun: A Biography'' (1994), 413pp, the best one-volume scholarly biography; Bartlett, while hostile to slavery, portrays Calhoun as  a principled, consistent, and often admirable champion of slavery and the South.

*  Bartlett, Irving H. ''John C. Calhoun: A Biography'' (1994), 413pp, the best one-volume scholarly biography; Bartlett, while hostile to slavery, portrays Calhoun as  a principled, consistent, and often admirable champion of slavery and the South.

* Calhoun, John C. '' John C. Calhoun: Selected Writings and Speeches'' edited  by H. Lee Cheek, (2003) [http://www.amazon.com/John-C-Calhoun-Conservative-Leadership/dp/0895261790/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1212720019&sr=1-3 excerpt and text search]

* Calhoun, John C. '' John C. Calhoun: Selected Writings and Speeches'' edited  by H. Lee Cheek, (2003) [http://www.amazon.com/John-C-Calhoun-Conservative-Leadership/dp/0895261790/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1212720019&sr=1-3 excerpt and text search]

* Niven, John. ''John C. Calhoun and the Price of Union: A Biography'' (1993) [http://www.amazon.com/John-Calhoun-Price-Union-Biography/dp/0807118583/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1212720019&sr=1-2 excerpt and text search]

* Niven, John. ''John C. Calhoun and the Price of Union: A Biography'' (1993) [http://www.amazon.com/John-Calhoun-Price-Union-Biography/dp/0807118583/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1212720019&sr=1-2 excerpt and text search]

* Peterson, Merrill D. ''Great Triumvirate: Webster, Clay, and Calhoun'' (1987), comparison of three key leaders [http://www.amazon.com/Great-Triumvirate-Webster-Clay-Calhoun/dp/0195056868 excerpt and text search]

* Peterson, Merrill D. ''Great Triumvirate: Webster, Clay, and Calhoun'' (1987), comparison of three key leaders [http://www.amazon.com/Great-Triumvirate-Webster-Clay-Calhoun/dp/0195056868 excerpt and text search]

*  Bartlett, Irving H. ''John C. Calhoun: A Biography'' (1994), 413pp, the best one-volume scholarly biography; for a more detailed biography see Wiltse (3 vol 1944-51); Bartlett, while hostile to slavery, portrays Calhoun as  a principled, consistent, and often admirable champion of slavery and the South.

*  Bartlett, Irving H. ''John C. Calhoun: A Biography'' (1994), 413pp, the best one-volume scholarly biography; for a more detailed biography see Wiltse (3 vol 1944-51); Bartlett, while hostile to slavery, portrays Calhoun as  a principled, consistent, and often admirable champion of slavery and the South.

*  Brown, Guy Story. ''Calhoun's Philosophy of Politics: A Study of A Disquisition on Government'' (2000) 435 pp. [http://books.google.com/books?id=2Qvme4MhhZcC&printsec=frontcover&dq=intitle:Disquisition+intitle:on+intitle:Government&lr=&as_brr=0&sig=0atGUlDSBv07atBNrQ_RqZ0wfx0 excerpt and text search]

*  Brown, Guy Story. ''Calhoun's Philosophy of Politics: A Study of A Disquisition on Government'' (2000) 435 pp. [http://books.google.com/books?id=2Qvme4MhhZcC&printsec=frontcover&dq=intitle:Disquisition+intitle:on+intitle:Government&lr=&as_brr=0&sig=0atGUlDSBv07atBNrQ_RqZ0wfx0 excerpt and text search]

* Wiltse, Charles M. ''John C. Calhoun, Nationalist, 1782-1828'', ''John C. Calhoun, Nullifier, 1829-1839''; ''John C. Calhoun: Sectionalist, 1840-1850,'' (3 vols. 1944-1951), the standard in-depth scholarly biography

* Wiltse, Charles M. ''John C. Calhoun, Nationalist, 1782-1828'', ''John C. Calhoun, Nullifier, 1829-1839''; ''John C. Calhoun: Sectionalist, 1840-1850,'' (3 vols. 1944-1951), the standard in-depth scholarly biography

==Primary sources==

===Primary sources===

* Calhoun, John Caldwell. ''Correspondence of John C. Calhoun'' edited by  - John Franklin Jameson. (1900) 1218 pages; highly useful scholarly edition of major letters from and to Calhoun; [http://books.google.com/books?id=vZ4DsGxA1ZEC&printsec=titlepage&dq=intitle:calhoun+intitle:correspondence&lr=&num=30&as_brr=3&source=gbs_summary_r&cad=0#PPA1,M1 complete text online letters from Calhoun]; [http://books.google.com/books?id=WVRDf1W8NPEC&pg=PA787&dq=intitle:calhoun+intitle:correspondence&lr=&num=30&as_brr=3 complete text online letters to Calhoun]  

* Calhoun, John Caldwell. ''Correspondence of John C. Calhoun'' edited by  - John Franklin Jameson. (1900) 1218 pages; highly useful scholarly edition of major letters from and to Calhoun; [http://books.google.com/books?id=vZ4DsGxA1ZEC&printsec=titlepage&dq=intitle:calhoun+intitle:correspondence&lr=&num=30&as_brr=3&source=gbs_summary_r&cad=0#PPA1,M1 complete text online letters from Calhoun]; [http://books.google.com/books?id=WVRDf1W8NPEC&pg=PA787&dq=intitle:calhoun+intitle:correspondence&lr=&num=30&as_brr=3 complete text online letters to Calhoun]  

* Calhoun, John Caldwell. ''Works of John C, Calhoun'' edited by Richard Kenner Crallé, (6 vol 1854, reprinted 1888) [http://books.google.com/books?id=dWFutwDcxnsC&printsec=frontcover&dq=intitle:works+intitle:calhoun&lr=&num=30&as_brr=1  vol 2: speeches 1811-37]; [http://books.google.com/books?id=qjL_hv80p6EC&printsec=titlepage&dq=intitle:works+intitle:calhoun&lr=&num=30&as_brr=1&source=gbs_summary_r&cad=0 vol 3: Speeches 1837-41]

* Calhoun, John Caldwell. ''Works of John C, Calhoun'' edited by Richard Kenner Crallé, (6 vol 1854, reprinted 1888) [http://books.google.com/books?id=dWFutwDcxnsC&printsec=frontcover&dq=intitle:works+intitle:calhoun&lr=&num=30&as_brr=1  vol 2: speeches 1811-37]; [http://books.google.com/books?id=qjL_hv80p6EC&printsec=titlepage&dq=intitle:works+intitle:calhoun&lr=&num=30&as_brr=1&source=gbs_summary_r&cad=0 vol 3: Speeches 1837-41]