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Vice Presidents of The United States PodcastAuthor: Bruce Carlson
A history of the United States, as told through its vices, the holders of the second-highest office in the land. Bruce Carlson delves into the lives of the individuals who have achieved the second office of American government. Learn history, and hear some great stories. Language: en Genres: History, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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We Cannot Surrender Our Institutions: Calhoun
Episode 7
Saturday, 18 October, 2025
Defender of his view of Southern rights, Vice President John Calhoun was the only VP to serve under Two Presidents. Both of those Presidents would come to dislike him strongly, as would (we think it's fair to say) most people today. That's because he undermined both Presidents he served under, and because Calhoun's defense of slavery went beyond what a majority of Southern Congressmen and Senators in his time would support. And even in context, it deserves the anger it generates today. If there's any silver linings for (some) modern ears, we discuss his position on tariffs (against them) and his position against federal power in local areas which could get a nod from those that hate him otherwise. He also opposed the Mexican War for the same reasons as Lincoln. It was in his view a war started by a President. And in his mind at least he was always pro-Union - though contemporary political opponents contested this. We won't do much celebrating of this Vice President, but to know history we have to talk about him.
