John C. Calhoun

John C. Calhoun is a statesman and political theorist from South Carolina. He was also the seventh Vice President of the United States. Calhoun is a strong believer in slavery and did everything he could to defend the white Southerns from the Northerns threats. He owned dozens of slaves in Fort Hill, South Carolina. Many referred to him as the "cast-iron man" because he did anything to defend his beliefs. He developed a two-point defense. One is the political theory that the right of a minority section needs special protection in the federal union. The second is that slavery is an institution that benefits all that are involved. Calhoun believed slavery wasn't "necessary evil." He thought of it as a "positive good" that benefits both slaves and slave owners. He said the relationship between masters and slaves resemble a familial arrangement rather than a harsh one. He supported states' rights and he felt as though states should be able to declare null and void federal laws that they view as unconstitutional. He formulated the document "South Carolina Ordinance of Nullification." Calhoun believed that slavery defines Southern social, political, and cultural life.

For more information on John C. Calhoun, you can visit https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/VP_John_Calhoun.htm