John Caldwell Calhoun (March 18, 1782 - March 31, 1850) was a leading politician and political theorist from South Carolina during the first half of the 19th century. A powerful intellect, Calhoun eloquently spoke out on every issue of his day, but often changed positions. Calhoun began his political career as a nationalist and proponent of protective tariffs; later, he switched to states' rights, limited government, nullification and free trade. He is best known for his intense and original defense of slavery as a positive good, for his promotion of white people's rights, and for pointing the South toward secession from the Union. Although Calhoun's views are no longer considered popular in contemporary periods, in 1957, the United States Senates honored Calhoun as one of the "five greatest senators of all time." In A Discourse on the Constitution and Government of the United States , published shortly after his death, Calhoun expounds upon his view of the U.S. Constitution, using it to defend his political theories and positions.
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