John Caldwell Calhoun (March 18, 1782 – March 31, 1850) was an American politician and political theorist during the first half of the 19th century. Hailing from
South Carolina, 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 as a positive good, his distrust of
majoritarianism, and for leading the South toward secession from the Union.