John C. Calhoun is one of the most complex figures in American history. Serving as vice president under two different presidents and leaving an enduring mark on the nation’s political landscape, he was a man of immense intellect and unshakable convictions. His advocacy for states’ rights, his role in the Nullification Crisis, and his staunch defense of slavery placed him at the center of some of the most heated debates of the 19th century. While he never ascended to the presidency, his influence on American politics—both during his lifetime and in the following decades—was undeniable.
Yet, Calhoun was more than just a politician; he was also a man shaped by his family, his heritage, and the world in which he lived. His Scots-Irish ancestry, his upbringing on the South Carolina frontier, and his marriage into a prominent Southern family all played a role in molding his beliefs. To truly understand Calhoun, one must explore his political career and the people and traditions that influenced him.
Family and Early Life
John Caldwell Calhoun was born on March 18, 1782, in the Abbeville District of South Carolina. His family lineage traces back to Scots-Irish immigrants who had settled in the American colonies seeking economic opportunity and religious freedom. His father, Patrick Calhoun, was an influential frontiersman and planter, known for his role in the early governance of South Carolina. Patrick was born in Pennsylvania in 1727 and later moved south, where he established a plantation. He was active in local militia efforts against Native American tribes and later served in the South Carolina legislature.
John’s mother, Martha Caldwell Calhoun, also came from Scots-Irish heritage. Before moving to South Carolina, her family had roots in Virginia, and she was known for her strong Presbyterian faith. John’s parents instilled a deep respect for self-reliance, landownership, and a firm belief in states’ rights, which would later shape his political ideology.
The Calhoun family was deeply affected by the American Revolution. John’s father actively supported the Patriot cause, and as a young boy, John grew up hearing stories of the fight for independence. This environment fostered a strong political engagement in him from an early age.
As a child, John C. Calhoun showed intellectual promise but had limited formal schooling due to the frontier conditions of South Carolina. His early education was sporadic, relying heavily on tutors and self-study. However, his family recognized his potential and tried sending him to more structured schooling. He attended an academy in Georgia before enrolling at Yale College in Connecticut, where he graduated in 1804. At Yale, he studied under President Timothy Dwight, a Federalist who emphasized classical education and civic duty. This exposure to Federalist ideals shaped Calhoun’s early views, though he would later become one of the most ardent defenders of states’ rights and Southern interests.
After Yale, he studied law at Litchfield Law School in Connecticut, one of the most prestigious legal institutions. He was admitted to the South Carolina bar in 1807 and became a successful lawyer. However, his interests soon turned to politics.
Marriage and Family Life
In 1811, John C. Calhoun married Floride Bonneau Colhoun, a prominent South Carolina family member. Floride was the daughter of John Ewing Colhoun, a U.S. senator and wealthy planter. Through this marriage, Calhoun gained substantial political and social connections that helped bolster his career.
John and Floride had ten children, though not all survived to adulthood. Their children included:
• Andrew Pickens Calhoun (1811–1865) – A planter who managed Fort Hill, the Calhoun family estate.
• Floride Pure Calhoun (1814–1815) – Died in infancy.
• Jane Calhoun Clemson (1816–1889) – Married Thomas Green Clemson, founder of Clemson University.
• Anna Maria Calhoun Clemson (1817–1875) – Married Gideon Lee.
• Elizabeth Calhoun (1819–1820) – Died in infancy.
• Patrick Calhoun (1821–1858) – Named after his grandfather, he pursued a legal career.
• John Caldwell Calhoun Jr. (1823–1850) – Served in the military but died young.
• Martha Cornelia Calhoun (1824–1857) – Little is known about her life.
• James Edward Calhoun (1826–1861) – Fought in the Civil War and died in battle.
• William Lowndes Calhoun (1829–1858) – Died young.
The Calhoun family lived at Fort Hill, a plantation in South Carolina that became a focal point of their lives. Floride Colhoun Calhoun played an active role in managing the household and raising their children while John was absorbed in politics. She also played a controversial role in Washington society, particularly in the “Petticoat Affair,” a social scandal during Andrew Jackson’s presidency.
Political Rise and Vice Presidency
Calhoun’s political career began in the South Carolina legislature, where he served briefly before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1810. His rise in national politics was swift. He became a leading member of the “War Hawks,” a group of young congressmen who strongly supported the War of 1812 against Britain. His speeches favoring war energized Congress and helped push the nation toward conflict.
In 1817, President James Monroe appointed Calhoun as Secretary of War, a role he held until 1825. During his tenure, he modernized the military, improved coastal defenses, and reformed West Point. His administrative skills earned him national recognition, and he became a contender for higher office.
Calhoun’s ambition led him to seek the presidency in 1824, but when it became clear he could not win, he shifted his focus to the vice presidency. He was elected vice president under John Quincy Adams and took office in 1825. However, political divisions soon arose, and when Andrew Jackson defeated Adams in the 1828 election, Calhoun remained vice president, making him the only person to serve in that role under two different presidents.
While serving under Jackson, Calhoun became a staunch advocate for states’ rights, particularly in response to the Tariff of 1828, which Southerners called the “Tariff of Abominations.” This tariff benefited Northern manufacturers at the expense of Southern agricultural economies. Calhoun, a firm believer in limited federal power, authored the South Carolina Exposition and Protest, arguing that states had the right to nullify federal laws they deemed unconstitutional.
This stance led to a deep political rift between Calhoun and Jackson. Jackson, a strong nationalist, saw nullification as a threat to the Union. Their feud culminated in the Nullification Crisis of 1832–1833, during which South Carolina, led by Calhoun’s ideas, attempted to nullify federal tariffs. Jackson responded with the Force Bill, asserting the federal government’s authority to enforce laws. Although a compromise was eventually reached, the crisis solidified Calhoun’s reputation as the leading advocate of states’ rights.
In 1832, Calhoun became the first vice president in U.S. history to resign from office, leaving to take a seat in the U.S. Senate, where he continued to champion Southern interests. Over the next two decades, he played a central role in the debates over slavery, states’ rights, and sectionalism.
Legacy
Calhoun’s political philosophy laid the groundwork for the secessionist movement, eventually leading to the Civil War. He remained in the Senate until his death on March 31, 1850. Even in his final years, he remained committed to his cause, warning that the Union could not survive unless the South’s rights were protected.
John C. Calhoun’s legacy is complex. He was a brilliant orator, a skilled administrator, and a key figure in American political thought. However, his staunch defense of slavery and sectionalism has made him one of the most controversial figures in U.S. history. His influence on the doctrine of nullification and secession would be felt long after his death, shaping the political landscape of the 19th century and beyond.
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