The Great Triumvirate Clay, Calhoun, Webster

Henry Clay Started out as a lawyer in Kentucky One of the “War Hawks” Favored war with Great Britain Served various terms as Speaker of the House and was Secretary of State from 1825-1829 Front-running advocate of the American System, which favored raising tariffs to promote industry in the U.S.

Known as the “Great Compromiser” for his ability to arbitrate settlements between groups; most notably the 3/5’s Compromise Very influential in the Nullification Crisis and in dealing with the issue of slavery in America Negotiated the Treaty of Ghent Opposed the National Bank

Formulated the 1833 Compromise which gradually reduced the cost of tariffs for 10 years, which halted South Carolina from seceding from the Union

Daniel Webster Started out as a lawyer and a school teacher Favored Federalism Attended Dartmouth College Known as the “Great Orator” Spoke out against the War of 1812 Voted against 2nd U.S. Bank Selected to the Rockingham Convention

Elected to the House of Representatives in 1812 Opposed tariffs, favored free trade Highly regarded for his intelligence Many Supreme Court decisions were molded from Webster’s ideals

Webster’s Cases 1. Dartmouth College Case 2. McCulloch vs. Maryland 3. Gibbons vs. Ogden “2nd Reply to Hayne”- federal and state government were both agents of the people This strengthened Union sentiment throughout the North

Webster’s support of Jackson pushed Calhoun to side with Clay Webster was against the 1833 Compromise which reduced the tariff Webster refused to be Vice-President to Harrison Opposed annexation of Texas and th Mexican War Supported Compromise of 1850

John C. Calhoun Democrat-Republican U.S. Vice-President Main public figure of the South Yale graduate Teamed with Clay to engage in war with Great Britain Favored protective tariffs in 1816, but was inconsistent on the issue as well as many other issues

Secretary of War under Monroe Pivotal in fostering the West Point Military Academy VP under J.Q. Adams & Jackson (resigned in 1832 over tariff issue) Strong nationalist initially, then favored particularism “Bill of Abominations” protecting higher tariffs was passed which angered the South and Calhoun

The South did not manufacture goods (agricultural), so did not benefit from the tariff Calhoun now views North as a selfish entity

Views on Jackson Favored reprimanding of Jackson for his tactics in the First Seminole War His wife Floride angered Jackson for her role in the Maggie Eaton affair Attacked Jackson’s “Spoils System” Opposed removal of government deposits from the Bank of the U.S.

“Force Bill” Webster felt the Federal Government should have total say; Calhoun endorsed state’s rights This was the 1st intellectual duel between Webster and Calhoun 1833 Compromise-gradually reduced the tariff over a 10 year span Calhoun and the South did not like any criticism of their beliefs

Calhoun dedicated the last segment of his life to the protection of Southern interests

2000 Election Problems with the Ballot Machines = only approximate totals Unclear results mandated a recount of the votes between Gore and Bush Very controversial matter Widely disputed; suspicious allegations around the nation