The Great Triumvirate: Webster, Clay, and Calhoun (Paperback)

by Merrill D. Peterson (Author)
Key Phrases: compromise act, land bill, graduation bill, South Carolina, United States, New York (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Peterson's new work extends the rich canvas of early American history offered in Adams and Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson and the New Nation and The Jefferson Image in the American Mind. Its ambience evokes an entire era, and it portrays in terms of their related and separate approaches to the most challenging issues of their time (form the War of 1812 to the year all three died: 1852) the trio of regional political giants who became known as the Great Triumvirate. Henry Clay of pioneer Kentucky was a young "war hawk" until the rise of the slavery issue, inextricably tied to the Union's westward growth and conflicting viewpoints in the North and South, brought him into decades-long struggles with the "Yankee Demosthenes," Daniel Webster, and the flamboyant South Carolinian, John C. Calhoun. Through banking crises, election after election, the 1837 Panic under Andrew Jackson, the Missouri Compromise, the Mexican War and much more, each made deals with the others while failing time and again to become president. Here is a remarkably vivid picture of American politics as a post-Founding Fathers generation fought togetherand ultimately one against anotherto save the Union as each faction conceived it. Illustrations.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
Noted Jeffersonian scholar Peterson has produced a curious mix of three biographies not well integrated. Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, and John Calhoun are remembered for their Senate oratory, but in fact they only served together in the mid- and late 1830s, and again in the late 1840s. A study of why they made the Senate great might have been interesting, but Peterson does not deliver on this promise, and he adds little to current scholarly debates. Worse, his judgment of the three's power is questionable, as when he muses that had they cooperated, "the United States might have enjoyed an era of national power and greatness unparalleled in ancient or modern times." James W. Oberly, History Dept., Univ. of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 582 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (April 6, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195056868
• ISBN-13: 978-0195056860
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #222,851 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars 41/2*: Party of Three, January 7, 2002

By	M. Allen Greenbaum (California) - See all my reviews (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Great Triumvirate: Webster, Clay, and Calhoun (Hardcover)

This excellent book can be read as a follow-up to Joseph Ellis' "Founding Brothers," although written at a more advanced level. Merrill D. Peterson examines the characters of Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, and John C. Calhoun and the issues facing them in (roughly) the first half of the 19th century. These issues involved primarily the differing conceptions of the federal government (federal powers vs. states' rights) arising in the Constitution Conventions of the Revolutionary War period.

This fundamental political difference was linked to other fiercely divisive issues, such as the moral and economic conflict over slavery, and eventually led to the Civil War (to put it simply). Passions were so linked to sectional economic and political interests that the Civil War appears inevitable; indeed, one wonders why it didn't occur earlier. Part of the answer is that Clay and others, through a series of "Compromises" delayed the war. The reader's attitude toward these three "giants" will depend on his/her own values and politics.

Peterson paints vivid portraits of the characters, but he assumes a fair amount of historical knowledge by the reader. For example, his discussions on tariffs, the need to increase the debt, and other economic measures were often too dense, as were the detailed and somewhat confusing party realignments (e.g., Whigs, Republicans, Democrats, "Ultras," and various combinations of these). Although he is sometimes dry, Peterson also has a scholar's wit and appreciation for his subject. Furthermore, the political and legal manipulations of the principles are often fascinating (e.g., Calhoun's unconstitutional theory of states rights known as "Nullification;" the failure of all three to reach the presidency). At times, it feels lengthy (especially for the non expert; the book is basically written at a beginning graduate school level), but it is generally very well written and covers a fascinating period in American history.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The big three in antebellum America, September 29, 2004

By	mrliteral - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

In the first half of the 19th century, American politics was dominated by the Congress, with only one really strong president (Andrew Jackson) in the era between Jefferson and Lincoln. Perhaps the largest figures in this period were the so-called "Great Triumvirate" of Henry Clay, Daniel Webster and John Calhoun. Serving in both houses of Congress, various presidential cabinets and (in Calhoun's case), the Vice Presidency, these three were the architects of the era. Only the Presidency itself would elude their ambitions.

All three were born at roughly the same time, entered Congress around the same time and died within a couple years of each other. They represented the three regions of antebellum America: Webster was in the North, Clay the West and Calhoun the South. They were often at odds with each other, even when they were in agreement on a subject.

Webster was probably the least significant of the three. Known for his oratory and intellect, he led primarily by example. His constant financial problems put him in some ethically dubious situations. Calhoun was renowned for his integrity but - although he never lived to see it - provided a lot of the theoretical basis for the secession movement that eventually resulted in the Civil War. Clay was probably the most blatantly ambitious of the three, but also the best deal-maker. Among his many accomplishments (often shared with others) were the Treaty of Ghent, the Missouri Compromise and the Compromise of 1850. Some of these may have be problematic to modern eyes, but these Compromises helped delay the Civil War. Although this may have not been Clay's design, the delay allowed the North to develop enough resources to win the war, which may have not been possible a decade earlier.

This book actually serves as three parallel biographies that occasionally intertwine. While generally interesting and informative, it is also a somewhat ponderous read. In addition, while the book does a good job at looking at the three as individuals, it is sometimes lacking in describing them as a trio. For better works about this era and its participants, I recommend Robert Remini, who has written biographies of Clay and Webster along with Andrew Jackson. Despite the flaws in this work, it is still at least a solid four stars for the information it does present, so you can't go too wrong reading it if the subject matter interests you.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterful history through the lives of 3 great men, April 17, 2005

By	Steve Fast (Hillsboro, KS, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Peterson tells the history of early American politics through the intertwined lives of Clay, Webster, and Calhoun. He highlights several major trends in the country, illustrated by these politicians--the increasing opportunity for non-elites to rise to prominence in national politics, the change of the burning issue of the day from the tariff to slavery, and the increasing discipline and organization of political parties.

The story is compelling as he tells the lives of these men and their continued interactions in crisp prose that is guaranteed to improve your vocabulary. His descriptions of the personalities, portraiture, and oratorical styles of the men are fascinating.

One question looms over the tale--if these were the three of the four most powerful politicians between Jefferson and Lincoln (Jackson would be the fourth), why did none of them get elected president? Peterson answers the question by referring to their individual characters and to their public perceptions. His last chapter and epilogue also contain an insightful discussion of the impact of each of the men on the looming Civil War and history's vindication or indictment of each for their roles (or lack thereof) in contributing to it.

This book is not an easy read, which is why I would have given this book a 4 1/2, if possible (yes, I'm stingy with 5's). Another possible drawback is the limited discussion of the formation of the Whig party, in which all three played at least something of a role.