John C. Calhoun and the Secession Movement of 1850.

The article discusses politician John C. Calhoun and the Secession Movement of 1850. The author talks about how prior to the U.S. Civil War, almost every state in the Union declared its sovereignty. The element of slavery in the schism of the Union is examined. The article also discusses the political and social views of Calhoun, including his belief that the economic life of the South was destined to grow divergent from that of the North. Subjects of the article also include the doctrine of nullification, the Wilmot Proviso which would have banned slavery, and Calhoun's involvement in state politics.