The Great Triumvirate: Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, and John C. Calhoun
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Load more
Recommended publications
-
Senators You Have to Know John C. Calhoun –
Senators You Have To Know John C. Calhoun – South Carolina / serving terms in the United States House of Representatives, United States Senate and as the seventh Vice President of the United States (1825–1832), as well as secretary of war and state. Democrats After 1830, his views evolved 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 best known for his intense and original defense of slavery as something positive, his distrust of majoritarianism, and for pointing the South toward secession from the Union. Nullification is a legal theory that a state has the right to nullify, or invalidate, any federal law which that state has deemed unconstitutional. The theory of nullification has never been legally upheld;[1] rather, the Supreme Court has rejected it. The theory of nullification is based on a view that the States formed the Union by an agreement (or "compact") among the States, and that as creators of the federal government, the States have the final authority to determine the limits of the power of that government. Under this, the compact theory, the States and not the federal courts are the ultimate interpreters of the extent of the federal government's power. The States therefore may reject, or nullify, federal laws that the States believe are beyond the federal government's constitutional powers. The related idea of interposition is a theory that a state has the right and the duty to "interpose" itself when the federal government enacts laws that the state believes to be unconstitutional. -
Martin Van Buren: the Greatest American President
SUBSCRIBE NOW AND RECEIVE CRISIS AND LEVIATHAN* FREE! “The Independent Review does not accept “The Independent Review is pronouncements of government officials nor the excellent.” conventional wisdom at face value.” —GARY BECKER, Noble Laureate —JOHN R. MACARTHUR, Publisher, Harper’s in Economic Sciences Subscribe to The Independent Review and receive a free book of your choice* such as the 25th Anniversary Edition of Crisis and Leviathan: Critical Episodes in the Growth of American Government, by Founding Editor Robert Higgs. This quarterly journal, guided by co-editors Christopher J. Coyne, and Michael C. Munger, and Robert M. Whaples offers leading-edge insights on today’s most critical issues in economics, healthcare, education, law, history, political science, philosophy, and sociology. Thought-provoking and educational, The Independent Review is blazing the way toward informed debate! Student? Educator? Journalist? Business or civic leader? Engaged citizen? This journal is for YOU! *Order today for more FREE book options Perfect for students or anyone on the go! The Independent Review is available on mobile devices or tablets: iOS devices, Amazon Kindle Fire, or Android through Magzter. INDEPENDENT INSTITUTE, 100 SWAN WAY, OAKLAND, CA 94621 • 800-927-8733 • [email protected] PROMO CODE IRA1703 Martin Van Buren The Greatest American President —————— ✦ —————— JEFFREY ROGERS HUMMEL resident Martin Van Buren does not usually receive high marks from histori- ans. Born of humble Dutch ancestry in December 1782 in the small, upstate PNew York village of Kinderhook, Van Buren gained admittance to the bar in 1803 without benefit of higher education. Building on a successful country legal practice, he became one of the Empire State’s most influential and prominent politi- cians while the state was surging ahead as the country’s wealthiest and most populous. -
Corrupt Bargain" Charge Against Clay and Adams
THE "CORRUPT BARGAIN" CHARGE AGAINST CLAY AND ADAMS: AN HISTORIOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS BY WILLIAM G. MORGAN Oral Roberts University Tulsa, Oklahoma The election of 1824 provided a substantial portion of the ground- work for the notable political changes which emerged from the some- what misnamed "Era of Good Feelings," while at the same time involv- ing several unusual political phenomena. A cardinal feature of this electoral struggle was the large number of prominent candidates. Early in the contest the serious contenders totaled as many as "16 or 17," in- cluding William H. Crawford, Secretary of the Treasury; John Quincy Adams, Secretary of State; Henry Clay, long-time Speaker of the House; John C. Calhoun, Secretary of War; Smith Thompson, Secretary of the Navy; Vice-President Daniel D. Tompkins; Governor DeWitt Clinton of New York; Representative William Lowndes of South Carolina; and a comparative latecomer to politics, General Andrew Jackson] As the campaign progressed, several of these men dropped from conten- tion: Lowndes died in 1822, while Thompson, Tompkins, and Clinton fell from the ranks for lack of support, though there was mention of the latter's possible candidacy late in 1823.2 Calhoun subsequently withdrew from the race, deciding to delay his bid for the presidency to accept the second office.8 Of the prominent contenders remaining in the contest, Crawford was the administration favorite, and his position as Treasury Secretary had enabled him to build a significant following in various circles.4 Despite these advantages, Crawford's success proved illusory: among other difficulties, the Georgian suffered a severe stroke in the summer of 1823 and was the victim of the growing antagonism toward the caucus, the very insti- nation on which he was relying to bring him broad party support.5 Adams, Clay, and Jackson fought actively to secure an electoral majority or, failing that, to gain sufficient votes to be included in the top three who would be presented to the House of Representatives for the final decision. -
Missouri Compromise (1820) • Compromise Sponsored by Henry Clay
Congressional Compromises and the Road to War The Great Triumvirate Henry Clay Daniel Webster John C. Calhoun representing the representing representing West the North the South John C. Calhoun •From South Carolina •Called “Cast-Iron Man” for his stubbornness and determination. •Owned slaves •Believed states were sovereign and could nullify or reject federal laws they believed were unconstitutional. Daniel Webster •From Massachusetts •Called “The Great Orator” •Did not own slaves Henry Clay •From Kentucky •Called “The Great Compromiser” •Owned slaves •Calmed sectional conflict through balanced legislation and compromises. Missouri Compromise (1820) • Compromise sponsored by Henry Clay. It allowed Missouri to enter the Union as a Slave State and Maine to enter as a Free State. The southern border of Missouri would determine if a territory could allow slavery or not. • Slavery was allowed in some new states while other states allowed freedom for African Americans. • Balanced political power between slave states and free states. Nullification Crisis (1832-1833) • South Carolina, led by Senator John C. Calhoun declared a high federal tariff to be null and avoid within its borders. • John C. Calhoun and others believed in Nullification, the idea that state governments have the right to reject federal laws they see as Unconstitutional. • The state of South Carolina threatened to secede or break off from the United States if the federal government, under President Andrew Jackson, tried to enforce the tariff in South Carolina. Andrew Jackson on Nullification “The laws of the United States, its Constitution…are the supreme law of the land.” “Look, for a moment, to the consequence. -
The Spirit of Honorable Compromise
The past is never dead. It's not even past NOT EVEN PAST Search the site ... The Spirit of Honorable Compromise Like 27 Tweet by H. W. Brands When Benjamin Franklin left the Constitutional Convention in September 1787, he was approached by a woman of Philadelphia, who asked what the deliberations of Franklin and his colleagues had given the young nation. “A republic,” he said, “if you can keep it. Henry Clay was ten years old that summer. He didn’t learn of Franklin’s challenge till later. But when he did, he discovered his life’s work. Clay and others of the generation that followed the founders confronted two problems in particular–two pieces of public business left unnished in the founding. The rst was the awkward silence of the Constitution on the fundamental question of the federal system: when the national government oversteps its authority, how is that government to be restrained? Must the states obey laws they believe to be unconstitutional? Put most succinctly: where does sovereignty ultimately lie–with the states or with the national government? The second problem was the contradiction between the equality promised by the Declaration of Independence and the egregious inequality inherent in the constitutionally protected institution of slavery. Thomas Jefferson’s assertion that “all men are created equal” was not repeated in the Constitution, but it provided the basis for American republican government, which the Constitution embodied and proposed to guarantee. Slavery made a mockery of any claims of equality. Privacy - Terms For forty years Clay wrestled with these challenges. In the golden age of Congress, when the legislative branch retained the primacy intended for it by the founders, the silver- tongued Kentuckian had no equal for adroitness and accomplishment in the Capitol. -
Calhoun Webster
CALHOUN WEBSTER : AND TWO VISIONS OF THE FEDERAL UNION SOUTH CAROLINA SENATOR JOHN C. CALHOUN SAW THE FEDERAL UNION AS A COMPACT OF STATES. MASSACHUSETTS SENATOR DANIEL WEBSTER SAW IT AS A NATION OF ONE PEOPLE. THEIR DIFFERING VISIONS LED TO HISTORIC DEBATES, BUT UNDERLYING THEM ALL WAS THE QUESTION OF SLAVERY. The intent of the writers of the Calhoun also pursued a career in Constitution was to create a politics. He was elected to the U.S. stronger central government than House of Representatives in 1810 and Library of Congress of Library existed under the old Articles of was the chief deputy of Speaker of John C. Calhoun (1782–1850), who served Confederation. During the ratifica- the House Henry Clay. Calhoun was as vice president, U.S. senator, and tion of the Constitution, many ex- a strong nationalist who pushed for member of Congress in his long political pressed fears the federal war against Britain in 1812. career, was the leading advocate for states’ rights. government would expand its pow- After the war, Calhoun sup- ers at the expense of the states. ported Henry Clay’s “American Sys- to the South, such a majority might The Bill of Rights, in the form of tem,” which called for Congress to someday vote to abolish slavery. 10 amendments, was added to the fund roads, canals, ports and other These developments changed Cal- Constitution to further limit the pow- national improvements. In 1816, he houn from a nationalist to an advo- ers of the federal government. The voted for a tariff (a tax on foreign cate for states’ rights. -
The Corrupt Bargain
The Corrupt Bargain Thematic Unit Introduction Drama! Intrigue! Scandal! The Presidential Election of 1824 was the most hotly-contested election in American history to that time. Join Andrew Jackson’s Hermitage, Home of the People’s President, in an interactive look at the election that changed the course of American history, examining the question of whether or not our nation is a republic, or a democracy. By referencing primary source documents such as the diary of John Quincy Adams, the official record of the electoral vote, the vote in the House of Representatives and personal letters from Andrew Jackson, students will be able to see a Revolutionary nation come into its own. Objectives A. Examine historical information from a variety of sources, including museum and library collections, letters, maps, government documents, oral histories, firsthand accounts, and web sites. B. Analyze documentation to uncover the events of the Presidential Election of 1824. C. Understand, through dialogue and discussion, how the Presidential Election of 1824 reflected the political climate of the era, its effect on John Quincy Adams’ presidency, and the future of American politics. Background A former cabinet member and Senator. The Speaker of the House of Representatives. A well-travelled international diplomat and the son of a Founding Father. An Indian- fighter, duelist, and powerhouse in Western politics. The Election of 1824 was the first election to that time in which there was not a majority of votes earned by a candidate. As a result, the election moved to the House of Representatives, where each state received one vote. John Quincy Adams, despite being outgained by almost 40,000 votes, won the presidency, and the campaign for the election of 1828 began almost immediately after claims from Jackson supporters alleged a “corrupt bargain” between Adams and Speaker of the House Henry Clay. -
Consumption and Compromise: Illness and Its Impact on the Political Career of Henry Clay
Journal of the Southern Association for the History of Medicine and Science Volume 2 (no. 1) 2020 https://journals.troy.edu/index.php/JSAHMS/ Consumption and Compromise: Illness and Its Impact on the Political Career of Henry Clay David Petriello Lecturer, Department of History, Caldwell University, Caldwell, New Jersey, United States Email: [email protected] Abstract Henry Clay’s nearly fifty years of public service coincided with the social, economic, and territorial growth of the Early Republic. Though much has been made of the influences of geography and political philosophy on his accomplishments, little has been done in addressing the role played by his own health and various illnesses of the era. Disease and personal health issues were perhaps the greatest natural allies, catalysts, and limiting agents of Henry Clay’s accomplishments. Ill health helped to start his career under the tutelage of George Wythe, the deaths of his daughters while undertaking the seasonal journey from Kentucky to Congress pushed his ideas on internal improvements, and disease collided with several of his campaigns for the presidency. This article focuses on the personal letters of Henry Clay and those around him to discern their views on the various illnesses of his day and gauge their impact on his career. Keywords: United States, Henry Clay, public health Henry Clay once claimed that he would, “rather be right than be president,” a desire that would, perhaps unfortunately, come true for the indefatigable politician. Perhaps because of this he has largely been forgotten by the American public. Despite this, his nearly fifty years of public service spanned the most important events in the history of the early Republic, including the Louisiana Purchase, the War of 1812, the U.S.-Mexican War, and the various compromises that helped to slow the descent of the nation towards civil war. -
Growth of Presidential Power
Growth of Presidential Power A. Article II of the Constitution 1. Article II is the part of the Constitution that deals with the Executive Branch. 2. Article II is basically just a short outline of powers. 3. A large part of America’s early political history deals with defining the extent of the executive power. B. The Changing View of Presidential Power 1. Why Presidential Power Has Grown -The presidency is in the hands of one person, rather than many, and many Presidents have worked to expand the powers of their office. -As the country grew and industrialized, especially in times of emergency, people demanded that the Federal Government play a larger role and looked to the President for leadership. -Congress has delegated much authority to the President, although presidential control over foreign affairs is greater than it is over domestic affairs. Congress simply continues to assert itself in the implementation of social programs. -Presidents have the attention and general respect of the media, the public, and their own party. C. How Presidents Have Viewed Their Power 1. Stronger and more effective Presidents have taken a broad view of the powers of the office. 2. Teddy Roosevelt viewed his broad use of Presidential powers as the “Stewardship Theory”, which means that the President should have the power to act as a “steward” over the country. 3. Recent, very strong presidents have given rise to the phrase “Imperial Presidency”, which implies that the President becomes as strong as an emperor. The term is often used to refer to the administration of Richard Nixon. -
The Rise of Mass Democracy: 1820-1840
AP U.S. History: Unit 4.2 Student Edition The Rise of Mass Democracy: 1820-1840 I. The "New Democracy" Use Space Below for Notes A. By the 1820s, politicians made an increased effort to appeal to the voting masses. 1. Most high offices were still held by wealthy citizens. 2. Change in emphasis: a. Jeffersonian democracy: the people should be governed as little as possible; gov’t for the people b. Jacksonian democracy: government should be done directly by the people. This idea underlay Jackson’s spoils system in the 1830s. B. The New Democracy was based on universal white manhood suffrage rather than property qualifications: the common man now became more influential. 1. Between 1812 and 1821, 6 new western states granted universal manhood suffrage 2. Between 1810 and 1821, 4 eastern states significantly reduced voting requirements. However, by 1860 only New England still allowed African Americans to vote in the North. 3. South was last region to grant universal white manhood suffrage. 4. New voters demanded politicians that would represent common peoples' interests. 5. Frederick Jackson Turner: "The Significance of the Frontier on American History" (1893) Thesis: Existence of cheap unsettled land in the West created a frontier society that shaped the American character—more democratic and egalitarian. C. Rise of workingmen’s parties 1. Laborers in the east formed organizations that demanded free education for their children, a 10-hr work day, and an end to debtor’s prisons. 2. Some groups became violent (especially during Panic of 1837) II. Causes of the New Democracy A. -
The War of 1812: the Rise of American Nationalism
University of Washington Tacoma UW Tacoma Digital Commons History Undergraduate Theses History Winter 2016 The aW r of 1812: The Rise of American Nationalism Paul Hanseling [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.tacoma.uw.edu/history_theses Part of the European History Commons, Military History Commons, Political History Commons, and the United States History Commons Recommended Citation Hanseling, Paul, "The aW r of 1812: The Rise of American Nationalism" (2016). History Undergraduate Theses. 27. https://digitalcommons.tacoma.uw.edu/history_theses/27 This Undergraduate Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the History at UW Tacoma Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in History Undergraduate Theses by an authorized administrator of UW Tacoma Digital Commons. The War of 1812: The Rise of American Nationalism A Senior Paper Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for Graduation Undergraduate History Program of the University of Washington Tacoma By Paul Hanseling University of Washington Tacoma March 2016 Advisor: Dr. Allen 1 Abstract On June 18, 1812, United States President, James Madison, signed a Declaration of War against Great Britain. What brought these two nations to such a dramatic impasse? Madison’s War Message to Congress gives some hint as to the American grievances: impressment of American sailors; unnecessary, “mock” blockades and disruption of American shipping; violations of American neutral rights; and incursions into American coastal waters.1 By far, the most vocal point of contention was impressment, or the forcible enlistment of men in the navy. For their part, Great Britain viewed every measure disputed by Americans as a necessity as they waged war against the Continental advances of Napoleon and for maintaining the economic stability of the British people. -
The Great Triumvirate
2/12/2014 The Great Triumvirate Clay, Calhoun, & Webster Henry Clay “The Great Compromiser” John C. Calhoun • 1777 - Born in Hanover County, VA • 1782 - Born in in Abbeville, S.C. “Champion of States’ Rights” • 1797 - moved to Lexington, KY • 1811 – 1817 - House of Representatives – Member of War Hawks who called for war • 1806 – 1807 - U.S. Senate with Britain in 1812. • 1810 – 1811 - U.S. Senate • 1817-1825 Sec. of War for James Monroe – sought censure of Andrew Jackson for • 1811 –1814 - Speaker of the House overstepping his authority by invading Spanish Florida in 1818 • negotiated Treaty of Ghent • 1825 – 1829 - Vice-President for J.Q. Adams • 1815 – 1825 Speaker of the House • American System • 1829 – 1832 - Vice-President for Jackson • Missouri Compromise – issued Doctrine of Nullification, resigns in Dec 1832 • 1825 - 1829 Sec. of State for J.Q. Adams • 1832 – 1843 - U.S. Senate • 1831 – 1842 - U.S. Senate • 1844 – 1845 - Secretary of State for Tyler • created the compromise tariff to end – Completed the annexation of Texas the Nullification Crisis • 1845 – 1850 - U.S. Senate • 1849 – 1852 - U.S. Senate – Compromise of 1850 “In looking back, I see • Compromise of 1850 • argued to support slavery and the rights of nothing to regret and little “I’d rather be right than slave holders; died before the final votes on to correct.” • 1824, 1832, 1844 – Ran for President president” - Henry Clay the parts of the Compromise make it law. - John C. Calhoun Daniel Webster The Great Triumvirate • 1782 - Born in Salisbury, New Hampshire llll Henry Clay John C Calhoun “Defender of the Union” • Between 1812 • 1813 – 1817 - House of Representatives and 1850 had • 1816 - 1823 - Lawyer in Boston, MA more impact on – 1819 – McCulloch vs.