Calhoun: American Heretic

John C. Calhoun, a prominent politician from the antebellum South, is still influential today. He served as secretary of war during the War of 1812 and vice president under two different presidents. He crafted his famous doctrine of state interposition, which laid the groundwork for the south to secede from the union and set the nation on course for civil war. He was also an outspoken apologist for slavery, but he was also a complex thinker engaged in the modern world. His ideas resonate strongly with popular currents today, such as an impatience for politics, a concern about the alliance between wealth and power in government, and a skepticism about the United States' ability to spread its style of democracy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 656 pages
Publication date: 11 March 2021
Publisher: Basic Books

John C. Calhoun, a prominent figure in American history, continues to leave his mark on the nation even after his passing. Elected to Congress in 1810, Calhoun served as the secretary of war during the War of 1812 and later as vice president under two distinct presidents, John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson. During his tenure as Jackson's vice president, Calhoun is credited with developing his renowned doctrine of state interposition, which played a significant role in laying the foundation for the South's secession from the Union and arguably set the stage for the Civil War.

While other accounts of Calhoun portray him as a backward-looking traditionalist, it is important to recognize his complex nature as a thinker. He was an outspoken advocate for slavery, defending it as a positive good. However, Calhoun was also deeply engaged with the modern world and held a range of ideas that resonate strongly with contemporary perspectives. He expressed impatience with the spectacle and shallowness of politics, expressed concerns about the alliance between wealth and power in government, and questioned the United States' ability to spread its democratic ideals globally.

In recent years, Calhoun has reemerged into the public discourse as tensions he navigated and exacerbated during his time have resurfaced. In 2015, a monument to him in Charleston, South Carolina, became a focal point after a white supremacist murdered nine African-Americans in a nearby church. Many commentators have since argued that Calhoun's retrograde ideas are at the heart of the modern GOP's challenges with race.

In his book, Robert Elder offers a revelatory reevaluation of the antebellum South, challenging the prevailing narratives and providing a fresh perspective on Calhoun's life, intellectual contributions, and legacy. Elder delves into Calhoun's political career, his role in shaping the South's political landscape, and his controversial ideas about slavery and secession. Through his analysis, Elder sheds light on Calhoun's complex personality and the enduring impact he has had on American history.

Calhoun's legacy is a subject of debate and discussion, with some viewing him as a symbol of Southern heritage and pride while others condemn his support for slavery and his role in perpetuating racial inequality. Elder's book provides a valuable contribution to the ongoing conversation about Calhoun and his place in American history, offering a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of a pivotal figure who continues to shape our understanding of the past.

Weight: 912g
Dimension: 168 x 246 x 56 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780465096442