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Why did John C. Calhoun resign as vice president in 1832?
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Nullification Crisis
U.S. Pres. Andrew Jackson issued his āProclamation to the People of South Carolinaā on December 10, 1832, in response to South Carolina's refusal to be bound by federal tariffs. In it Jackson asserted the supremacy of the federal government and rejected South Carolina's argument that it, as a state, had the right to reject laws made by the federal government that it deemed unconstitutional. Jackson's proclamation was an escalation of the Nullification Crisis, and some argue that it helped lay the foundation for the American Civil War.
John C. Calhoun resigned as vice president in late 1832 due to a combination of long-standing political friction and personal conflict with President Andrew Jackson.12
The relationship between the two had deteriorated significantly for several reasons:
- The Eaton Affair: Calhoun and his wife participated in a social boycott of Peggy Eaton, the wife of the secretary of war, whom they accused of adultery. Jackson, who defended Eaton, was deeply offended by this behavior, leading to a cabinet reorganization and a permanent break with his vice president.12
- Political Distrust: Jacksonās inner circle, particularly Martin Van Buren, distrusted Calhounās loyalty. Tensions were exacerbated by Calhounās earlier criticism of Jacksonās 1818 invasion of Florida and his secret authorship of the South Carolina Exposition and Protest, which promoted the doctrine of nullification.12
- Ideological Conflict: Calhounās open advocacy for nullificationāthe right of a state to declare federal laws unconstitutionalādirectly challenged Jacksonās commitment to the preservation of the federal union.312
Following his resignation, Calhoun was elected to the Senate, where he continued to defend his political doctrines.1