What beliefs did John C. Calhoun believe in and how did it clash with the beliefs of Henry Clay?

Question

this is for my debate, i am representing the south and John C. Calhoun, and i just wanted to know these two men's beliefs and how it became such a big controversy and led to the civil war

Answer 1

John C. Calhoun believed in states' rights whereas Henry Clay believed the opposite, he believed that the federal government has the final say in most if not all matters. Clay created the American System which created the Second Bank of the US (which would later be destroyed by Jackson), it placed a tarrif on imports which made the imports more expensive than American made items (to make the citizens buy the American items), and it improved transportation in the US. Calhon, who believed in states' rights, was Jackson's vice president. He believed that a state had more power than the federal government, therefore the state has the right to nullify federal law. Calhoun suggested the South Carolina nullify the a protective tarrif. They agree. Jackson got mad and sent an army to South Carolina (after the passing of the Force Bill) and Jackson threatened to hang the first sectionalist he saw and that was a direct threat to Calhoun. Calhoun resigned as vice president and Martin van Buren filled the space. Clay, also known as the Great Compromiser, created a compromise. It was a lower tarrif which would expire in 10 years. It became a law.

that's all i can think of right now.