The Debate of the Century

When Connecticut Senator Samuel Foot introduced a resolution prohibiting the sale of western land in 1829, no one present knew that it would have a profound impact on American political history. This seemingly benign proposal prompted a response from Missouri Senator Thomas Hart Benton, the barrel chested brawler and "Champion of the West." He immediately attacked the proposal and hinted that the West would be better off aligned with the South in future political contests if this is how New England thought about their western allies.

Robert Hayne of South Carolina immediately backed Benton and in the process heaped scorn on New England for its dogged defense of its own sectional interests over that of the United States. He didn't say anything unusual, and even Benton mocked New England in his speech. This was an chance to break the fusion of the West and North forged by Henry Clay.

Daniel Webster of Massachusetts wasn't amused. But when "Black Dan" rose to parry the attacks on New England, he chose Hayne rather than Benton as his muse. This was purposeful. If Webster could peg Southerners as hot headed defenders of slavery, he surmised that no one in the West would be wiling to join them in common cause against New England, meaning the alliance between the West and the North would remain intact.

The January 1830 sparring between Hayne and Webster became the "Debate of the Century." Historians have almost to a man argued that Webster won the debate. But did he? It wasn't clear in 1830, and Hayne more than held his own.

This class reviews both of the second responses by Hayne and Webster. We cover each speech word for word, like we were there in 1830. In the end, you can decide who won the "Debate of the Century."