John C. Calhoun's Political Thought And Practice

John ? C ? Calhoun was one of the well-known politicians on the second half of the 19th century in the United States, he was also a controversial and legendary statesman. He was born in a wealthy planter family, a studious child and later graduated from the well-known Yale University in the United States. He was proficient in law and qualified lawyer, he became a very good lawyer before politician. John Calhoun's political career started from being elected to the South Carolina Legislature, as long as 40 years, a succession of South Carolina board member, the Representative of United States House, the secretary of war under President James Monroe, the vice president of the United States under John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson., the secretary of state under John Taylor, the Senator. Although he participated in the presidential election many times, he failed and his political experience was very rich. In addition, he was a keen political philosopher and diligent in writing, he had a unique opinion and a lot of writings. So he left behind a valuable spiritual wealth for the future generations .This article seeks to interpret the John Calhoun's political thought and practice from the four parts: the first part expounds John Calhoun's idea of nationalism systemly. In the War of 1812, as a representative of the"war hawks,",John ? Calhoun instigated the new-born United States to fight with the Britain in order to defend the national interests and maintain the national honor; He also positively engaged in the post-war career of constructing the federation and maintaining unity, objecting to split.The second part demonstrates the reasons that John ? Calhoun changed from a nationalist into the advocate of states'rights. The author traced the states'rights in the history of the United States and proved that through the historical facts: the tremendous changes in the domestic situation, especially the so-called "unequal" treatment for the south by the federation, the hopelessness of John ? Calhoun running for the president ,all forced him to change.The third part detailedly explains the idea of states'rights and the corresponding activity for John ? Calhoun. In two to three decades on behalf of the 19th century, John ? Calhoun resolutely opposed the so-called "unfair" Act of the Congress and invented the theory of " the right of nullification of federal laws " in order to protect the interests of South Carolina.He once threated to exit the federation and ultimately led to a serious crisis in the South Carolina. The fourth part focuses on the controversial idea of maintaining black slavery and the practice for this. As a crazy defender for the black slavery, John ? Calhoun gone against the tide of history and positively sought a reasonable basis for the existence of the black slavery.He also engaged in the various activities of defending the black slavery by virtue of his own special identity and political impact in the American politics, eventually led to the Civil War.In order to avoid the biographical description, the author studied a large number of John ? Calhoun's publications, biographies and related documentations, adhered to the principle of historical materialism, started from the objective historical facts, put John ? Carlhoun under the specific historical conditions, aimed to make an objective and specific analyses and evaluations for his political thought and practice .