Born in Abbeville District, Calhoun was elected to Congress in 1810. During his career he evolved from a nationalist to independent nullifier to strategist for a unified (southern) defense of slavery. In 1824 he was originally a candidate for the presidency, but dropped out and ran a successful campaign for vice president. He was re-elected vice president in 1828, but resigned after a falling out with President Andrew Jackson over the issue of nullification. He spent much the remainder of his career in the U.S. Senate where he became the leading strategist of an evolving southern sectionalism.
John Caldwell Calhoun’s winding political odyssey reflected his evolving analysis of the relationship between the nation and its sections.