John C. Calhoun
By: Sierra Yoshida
John C. Calhoun was a spokesman in the 1820's. He was a supporter of states' rights and slavery. He was a patient man who took account of everyone's opinions which made him a exceptional state senator of South Carolina and 7th Vice President of the United States.
He was said to have "caused" the Civil War. But how could he have caused the Civil War if we wasn't living during the Civil War era? His legendary speeches and many arguments from the early years left a mark on America.
He created the "Slavery: a positive good speech". This was a speech that he wrote that portrayed that slavery was a positive thing, a benefit for everyone. He stated in the speech "the relation now existing in the slave holding states between the two, is, instead of an evil, a good---a positive good". To also prove his point about slavery, he created a two point defense. One point was a political defense while the second was an argument that showed the good sides of slavery.
Because of these arguments and many more that Calhoun made, he moved people. He made them see a whole different side of slavery. This caused more diversity within the people. Disagreements between the citizens caused the Civil War. Who knows, we could be in a totally different world without the legend that is John C. Calhoun.