Lesson Plan

Daily current event:

Display political cartoon on smart board. Students will complete handout
with 3 questions in the first 5 minutes of class. Then we will discuss the
political cartoon for 10 minutes.
Topic:
Introduce John C. Calhoun, an important figure in American slavery.
Materials:
Laptop, study guide, current event sheet, pencil/pen, paper
Objectives:
Students will learn and understand the importance of prominent figures in
history. John C. Calhoun- (1782-1850), was a prominent U.S. statesman and
spokesman for the slave-plantation system of the antebellum South.
Talk and discuss for (15-20 min)
Key Terms:
Slaves
John C. Calhoun
Andrew Jackson
Henry Clay
Daniel Webster

Mexican American War

Tariff of 1828
plantations
cotton gin
territory

1)What was Calhouns background?

He was a young congressman that helped steer the United States into war
with Great Britain and established the Second Bank of the United States.
Calhoun went on to serve as U.S. secretary of war, vice president and
briefly as secretary of state. As a longtime South Carolina senator, he
opposed the Mexican-American War and the admission of California as a
free state, and was renowned as a leading voice for those seeking to
secure the institution of slavery.
2)What major roles did he play in our history?
Calhoun was one of the leading War Hawks who maneuvered the
unprepared United States into war with Great Britain in 1812. Calhoun was
responsible for establishing the Second Bank of the United States, and he
wrote the bonus bill that would have laid the foundation for a nationwide
network of roads and canals if President James Madison had not vetoed it.
Calhoun was a candidate for the presidency in 1824. He settled for the vice
presidency and was twice elected to the position. But after Andrew

Jacksons assumption of the presidency in 1829, Calhoun found himself

isolated politically in national affairs. Calhoun joined with Henry Clay in
working out the Compromise Tariff (1832-1833). By then he had resigned
from the vice presidency and had been elected as senator from South
Carolina. For the rest of his life he defended the slave-plantation system
against a growing antislavery stance in the free states.
3)How did he influence American Political history?
He laid the groundwork for the annexation of Texas and the settlement of
the Oregon boundary with Great Britain. He then was reelected to the
Senate in 1845, he opposed the Mexican-American War because he felt
American victory would result in territorial concessions that would place
the Union at jeopardy. Similarly he opposed the admission of California as
a free state, and the free-soil provision in the Oregon territorial bill. In his
last address to the Senate, he foretold the disruption of the Union unless
the slave states were given adequate and permanent protection for their
institutions.
The Compromise of 1850 was the last major involvement in national affairs
of Senator John C. Calhoun. It was a new version of the Fugitive
Slave Act. Calhoun attacked the plan and demanded that the North cease
its attempts to limit slavery. (see handout titled Compromise of 1850)
Questions for students to answer: Will be written on the dry erase board.
(10-15) Discussion
1.

Why do you think Calhoun abandoned the vice presidency to run for
the Senate representing South Carolina?

2.

What was the Compromise of 1850?

3.

John C. Calhoun declared that the ______ of 1928 was _________

and calculated to corrupt the public virtue and destroy the liberty of
the country.

Answer for question #3

Tariff
unconstitutional
Show video clip on you tube regarding slavery: 5-6 minutes
Key and Peele - Auction Block