Son of the South

John C. Calhoun as a Case Study for Antebellum U.S. History

Purpose and Objective

Students appreciate a good character in history. John C. Calhoun is the near-absolute perfect

character for the Antebellum period. Hook students on the character of Calhoun by

introducing Calhoun. Calhoun has a deep footprint on major historical

events of the Antebellum period. Connect Calhoun as a tragic character with strengths

and weaknesses to the brewing sectional conflict in the United States.

The Famous Calhoun

Circa 1849

Background

Born in 1782 in Abbeville, South Carolina– Labored on the family farm

Scotch-Irish descent– Part of Ulster Scot migration

Attended Yale and Litchfield Law School– Southern families of means sent sons to Northern

schools given lack of promotion of education in the South– Litchfield - first law school in U.S.

Aaron Burr an alum

War of 1812 - War Hawk Elected to House in 1810 to

South Carolina’s 6th District as Democratic-Republican

Excellent orator and organizer despite lack of charm

Became a War Hawk leader along with Henry Clay– Chairman of Foreign Affairs

Committee– Defend American honor

against British– New England objected given

pro-British views

Post-War of 1812 Nationalism Along with Henry Clay, Calhoun

pursued nationalist policies– Development of

infrastructure Bonus Bill of 1817 -

vetoed Public works and

transportation– Protective tariffs

Develop domestic industries

Hurts agricultural sector– National bank

Missouri Compromise of 1820– Proposed by Henry Clay– Calhoun supported as a

nationalist solution to avoid sectional conflict of slavery

– South objected given limitation of slavery

Secretary of War (1817-1825) During the Era of Good

Feelings Demanded extensive

reorganization and development of nation’s military while supporting nationalist policies

Developed bureaucracies in War Department– Bureau of Indian Affairs

(1824) Seminole Wars

– Requested censure of Andrew Jackson due to invasion of Florida in 1818

Election of 1824 Almost ran as President but settled for Vice

Presidency Election of 1824– 4 candidates: Henry Clay, John Quincy Adams,

William Crawford, Andrew Jackson– Corrupt Bargain– Split D-R into Jacksonian Democrats and National

Republicans– South Carolina unanimously voted Jackson

Calhoun won VP by landslide as Adams running mate– Disillusioned by Corrupt Bargain– Turned away from National Republican platform– Ran and won as Jackson running mate in Election of

1828

Petticoat Affair/Peggy Eaton Affair

Peggy Eaton married John Henry Eaton, a close friend of Jackson

Eaton’s personal influence and “quick” marriage led to Cabinet wives and officials to denounce her including Calhoun

Resulting scandal led to Cabinet resignations

Development of Jackson’s Kitchen Cabinet

Eventual rise of Martin van Buren

Nullification Crisis Tariff of 1828 aka Tariff of Abominations

– Protective tariff of historically high rates– Britain cut off cotton imports; South bought from North at higher prices

South Carolina Exposition and Protest– Based on Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions– Nullification: state vetoes federal law as unconstitutional– Concurrent majority

Jefferson Day Dinner (1830)– Jackson: “Our Union: It must be preserved.”– Calhoun: “The Union, next to our liberty, most dear. May we all

remember that it can only be preserved by respecting the rights of the States…”

Nullifier Party Force Bill

– South Carolina legislature nullified Tariff of 1828– Congress authorized Jackson’s military use to enforce federal laws– South Carolina legislature nullified Force Bill– Calhoun first VP to resign office

Tariff of 1833– Compromise by Henry Clay to reduce rates over the next decade to

appease Jackson and Calhoun

U.S. Senator (1832-1843)

Merged Nullifier Party with Whigs in opposition to Jackson Democrats

Issue of slavery and states’ rights drove Calhoun to become a Democrat

“Slavery A Positive Good” Speech

Secretary of State (1844-1845)

Appointed by John Tyler, a pro-Democratic Whig

Oregon Dispute– Avoided war with Britain by acknowledging 49th

parallel

Annexation of Texas (1845)– Opportunity to expand Slave Power– No treaty, but proposed joint resolution– Led to war with Mexico

Conflict Over Slavery

Opposed war with Mexico as threat to states’ rights and slavery

Viewed party systems as a threat to sovereignty and welfare of states

Rejected Compromise of 1850– Endorsed reinforced Fugitive Slave Law

The End

Calhoun died March 31, 1850 His legacy continued on with the escalating

sectional strife between free and slave states