vcczar Posted September 23 Share Posted September 23 John C Calhoun of SC is considered one of the three most powerful Senators prior to the Civil War. He is the major theorist on pro-slavery thought, and as a result, did a lot of evil, regardless of some other merits he may have had, especially during his more nationalistic periods (prior to 1832). Jackson, a strong Unionists, converted Calhoun to the leading States Rights advocate. Had Calhoun died in the 1820s, I think one can argue that you don't get the Compromise of 1850, Bleeding Kansas, and Secession. You have no other combined theorist-orator and work-a-holic capable to fill the vacancy. Calhoun's last "great" speech was delivered by an ally because he couldn't speak. He just sat there next to the speechmaker looking like Nosferatu. He died weeks after the Great Compromise of 1850 of tuberculosis. His actions: Calhoun, John C 1811 a leading War Hawk Calhoun, John C 1816 notable speech regarding tariff policy Calhoun, John C 1816 advances bill to create 2nd U.S. bank Calhoun, John C 1817 appointed Sec of War by Monroe Calhoun, John C 1817 big speech pro internal improvements bill Calhoun, John C 1818 Urges punishment for Gen Jackson's unilateral invasion of FL but Monroe ignores the advice Calhoun, John C 1821 Reluctantly reduces the army with Army Reduction Act Calhoun, John C 1821 Selects Jacob Brown for Commanding General of US Army Calhoun, John C 1823 Tense Intercabinet rivalry with Crawford as both gear for presidential run Calhoun, John C 1824 Architect of Bureau of Indian Affairs Calhoun, John C 1824 runs for president but ends up as VP fo Adams Calhoun, John C 1824 Opposes Tariff of 1824 Calhoun, John C 1826 Breaks w/ Adams admin after talking to Van Buren, joining Jackson's coalition Calhoun, John C 1826 As VP, Calhoun calls for an impeachment investigation against himself. Does to absolve himself of allegations against his during his time as Sec of War Calhoun, John C 1828 Anonymously rights pamphlet promoting the theory of nullification Calhoun, John C 1828 Incumbent VP jumps to Jackson's winning ticket as VP nom Calhoun, John C 1829 Rift begins w/ Jackson as Calhoun's wife plays role in Petticoat Affair Calhoun, John C 1830 Relations w/ Jackson break b/c learns Calhoun tried to censure him in 1818 Calhoun, John C 1832 Casts tie-breaking vote blocking Van Buren's permanent appt as Amb to UK Calhoun, John C 1832 Resigns as VP in protest to Jackson and to become US Sen; holds record for tie-breaking votes by VP until 2023 Calhoun, John C 1832 cooperates with Clay to pass Tariff of 1833 Calhoun, John C 1833 Helps forge Whig party opposition against Jackson, although stays independent as Nullifier Calhoun, John C 1833 Strongly reacts against Force Bill, leading to strong promotion of nullification and possible secession Calhoun, John C 1834 Votes w/ Whigs to censure Jackson over Bank War Calhoun, John C 1836 demands end to antislavery petitions Calhoun, John C 1837 Refuses to attend Van Buren inauguration Calhoun, John C 1837 backs Indep Treasury; defects from his independent Whig alliance, and rejoins Dems Calhoun, John C 1837 resolution defining southern position on slavery as a positive good Calhoun, John C 1840 Supports Van Buren to prepare for 1844 run for pres Calhoun, John C 1840 resolution regarding UK action on slave ships Calhoun, John C 1843 Drops out of presidential race early due to lack of support Calhoun, John C 1844 Confirmed Sec of State for Tyler following Upshur's death Calhoun, John C 1844 Urges Tyler to focus on Texas Annexation rather than on an Oregon Treaty Calhoun, John C 1844 candidate for Dem pres nom Calhoun, John C 1844 At Dem Conv, he and allies consider bolting to creating 3rd party w/ Pres. Tyler before Polk is nom Calhoun, John C 1844 Major framer of Polk's pres platform Calhoun, John C 1844 Finishes negotiating Texas Annexation treaty Calhoun, John C 1846 influence on resolution regarding Oregon question Calhoun, John C 1846 A leader among opponents of Mexican War Calhoun, John C 1847 his slavery noninterference doctrine ("Calhoun Doctrine") stating abolishing slavery is unconstitutional on any level Calhoun, John C 1847 tries to coalesce Southern Dems & Whigs to combat restrictions to slavery Calhoun, John C 1848 says South should stay out of pres noms Calhoun, John C 1848 Democratic candidate for Pres Calhoun, John C 1850 Southern partisan rejection of Compr of 1850, gives major speech predicting Civil War and igniting Fire-Eaters Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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