1. Son of the South John C. Calhoun as a Case Study for Antebellum U.S. History

2. Purpose and Objective n Students appreciate a good character in history. n John C. Calhoun is the near-absolute perfect character for the Antebellum period. n Hook students on the character of Calhoun by introducing Calhoun. n Calhoun has a deep footprint on major historical events of the Antebellum period. n Connect Calhoun as a tragic character with strengths and weaknesses to the brewing sectional conflict in the United States.

3. The Famous Calhoun Circa 1849

4. Background n Born in 1782 in Abbeville, South Carolina –Labored on the family farm n Scotch-Irish descent –Part of Ulster Scot migration n 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. F Aaron Burr an alum

5. War of 1812 - War Hawk n Elected to House in 1810 to South Carolina’s 6th District as Democratic-Republican n Excellent orator and organizer despite lack of charm n 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

6. Post-War of 1812 Nationalism n Along with Henry Clay, Calhoun pursued nationalist policies –Development of infrastructure F Bonus Bill of 1817 - vetoed F Public works and transportation –Protective tariffs F Develop domestic industries F Hurts agricultural sector –National bank n 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

7. Secretary of War (1817-1825) n During the Era of Good Feelings n Demanded extensive reorganization and development of nation’s military while supporting nationalist policies n Developed bureaucracies in War Department –Bureau of Indian Affairs (1824) n Seminole Wars –Requested censure of Andrew Jackson due to invasion of Florida in 1818

8. Election of 1824 n Almost ran as President but settled for Vice Presidency n 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 n 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

9. Petticoat Affair/Peggy Eaton Affair n Peggy Eaton married John Henry Eaton, a close friend of Jackson n Eaton’s personal influence and “quick” marriage led to Cabinet wives and officials to denounce her including Calhoun n Resulting scandal led to Cabinet resignations n Development of Jackson’s Kitchen Cabinet n Eventual rise of Martin van Buren

10. Nullification Crisis n 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 n South Carolina Exposition and Protest –Based on Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions –Nullification: state vetoes federal law as unconstitutional –Concurrent majority n 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…” n Nullifier Party n 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 n Tariff of 1833 –Compromise by Henry Clay to reduce rates over the next decade to appease Jackson and Calhoun

11. U.S. Senator (1832-1843) n Merged Nullifier Party with Whigs in opposition to Jackson Democrats n Issue of slavery and states’ rights drove Calhoun to become a Democrat n “Slavery A Positive Good” Speech

12. Secretary of State (1844-1845) n Appointed by John Tyler, a pro-Democratic Whig n Oregon Dispute –Avoided war with Britain by acknowledging 49th parallel n Annexation of Texas (1845) –Opportunity to expand Slave Power –No treaty, but proposed joint resolution –Led to war with Mexico

13. Conflict Over Slavery n Opposed war with Mexico as threat to states’ rights and slavery n Viewed party systems as a threat to sovereignty and welfare of states n Rejected Compromise of 1850 –Endorsed reinforced Fugitive Slave Law

14. The End n Calhoun died March 31, 1850 n His legacy continued on with the escalating sectional strife between free and slave states