Chapter 4, John C. Calhoun: The Marx of the Master Class Summary and Analysis

John C. Calhoun was a senator from South Carolina and Andrew Jackson's vice-president who later had to resign. He possessed an abstract intellect and a mind built for philosophy. He represented the thought of the Southern minority that sought to preserve the slave economy and extend it throughout the union. He was also a strong federalist, developing in detail the idea of nullification of federal laws and the idea of rule by concurrent majorities (where the federal government would be run by the major votes of major regional interests).

Calhoun had no real childhood to speak of and was not close to his parents. He was secretary of war in Monroe's second term. Calhoun was not a personable man, yet this was not...