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The Importance of John Calhoun in U.S. History with Robert Elder | BRI Scholar Talks
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Why is John Calhoun an important figure to study in United States history? In this episode of Scholar Talks, BRI Senior Fellow Tony Williams is joined by Dr. Robert Elder, Professor of History at Baylor University, to talk about his new book ‘John Calhoun: An American Heretic.’ Together, they discuss Calhoun’s shifting views, controversial ideas, and role as an influential figure in American history.
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BRI Senior Teaching Fellow Tony Williams sits down with political scientist James H. Read to discuss his essay on John C. Calhoun in BRI's new digital history textbook, "Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness." Dr. Read tells the provocative story of how Calhoun’s political philosophy broke with the Founders’ view of majority rule in a republic. Calhoun developed the idea of a “concurrent majority” to protect “states’ rights” before the Civil War. What is the proper role of majority rule and consent in a republican form of government? What is the nature of the relationship between the federal and state governments according to the principle of federalism?
Use this primary source text to explore key historical events.