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Along with two other powerful senators, [[Kentucky]] senator [[Henry Clay]] and [[Massachusetts]] senator [[Daniel Webster]], Calhoun was a part of the "Great Triumvirate".   

Along with two other powerful senators, [[Kentucky]] senator [[Henry Clay]] and [[Massachusetts]] senator [[Daniel Webster]], Calhoun was a part of the "Great Triumvirate".   

Calhoun led South Carolina's attempt to nullify the Tariff of 1828, which became known as the Nullification Crisis. Calhoun was a plantation owner who helped develop the "positive good" theory of slavery. He also developed the South's expansive interpretation of states' rights. After Calhoun, Southerners believed that they carried the rights of their states into nationally owned territories, including a right to own slaves.

Calhoun led South Carolina's attempt to nullify the Tariff of 1828, which became known as the [[Nullification Crisis]]. Calhoun was a plantation owner who helped develop the "positive good" theory of slavery. He also developed the South's expansive interpretation of states' rights. After Calhoun, Southerners believed that they carried the rights of their states into nationally owned territories, including a right to own slaves.

Calhoun began as a [[Jeffersonian Republican]]. After 1828, he usually affiliated with the [[Democratic Party]], but flirted with the [[Whig Party]] and considered running for the presidency in 1824 and 1844. Starting as a leading nationalist and modernizer, after 1828 Calhoun reversed directions and became the foremost spokesman for states rights and slavery.<ref>Capers says it was caused by opportunism; when Calhoun realized his ultra nationalist programs were getting him nowhere, he decided about 1827 to build a southern base by allying himself with Jackson and attacking the nationalism of Adams and Clay. The tactic failed completely when Jackson broke with him in 1831.  Capers (1948) pp 41-48.</ref>  Devoted to the principle of liberty and fearful of corruption, Calhoun expanded the notion of [[Republicanism, U.S.|republicanism]] to include the need to protect minority rights against majority rule; his approach was the "concurrent majority."  Increasing distrustful of democracy, he minimized the role of the [[Second Party System]] in South Carolina.  The leaders of the secession movement in the decade after his death looked to Calhoun as a hero.

Calhoun began as a [[Jeffersonian Republican]]. After 1828, he usually affiliated with the [[Democratic Party]], but flirted with the [[Whig Party]] and considered running for the presidency in 1824 and 1844. Starting as a leading nationalist and modernizer, after 1828 Calhoun reversed directions and became the foremost spokesman for states rights and slavery.<ref>Capers says it was caused by opportunism; when Calhoun realized his ultra nationalist programs were getting him nowhere, he decided about 1827 to build a southern base by allying himself with Jackson and attacking the nationalism of Adams and Clay. The tactic failed completely when Jackson broke with him in 1831.  Capers (1948) pp 41-48.</ref>  Devoted to the principle of liberty and fearful of corruption, Calhoun expanded the notion of [[Republicanism, U.S.|republicanism]] to include the need to protect minority rights against majority rule; his approach was the "concurrent majority."  Increasing distrustful of democracy, he minimized the role of the [[Second Party System]] in South Carolina.  The leaders of the secession movement in the decade after his death looked to Calhoun as a hero.