John C. Calhoun

John Caldwell Calhoun (March 18, 1782 – March 31, 1850) was an American politician and political theorist from South Carolina who lived during the 18th and 19th centuries. Calhoun began his political career as a nationalist, modernizer, and proponent of a strong national government and protective tariffs. After 1830, his views shifted and he became a greater proponent of states' rights, limited government, nullification and free trade, as he saw these means as the only way to preserve the Union. He is known for his intense and original defense of slavery, his distrust of majoritarianism, and for leading the South toward secession from the Union.

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