•War Hawk, supported war of 1812

•1796: Began to study law under Attorney General of Virginia

•Spoke against the Alien/Sedition Acts (was a democrat)

•Helped with Missouri Compromise of 1850

•MISSOURI COMPROMISE = Series of laws that attempted to resolve the territorial and slavery controversies arising from the Mexican-American war

•Gained title of “The Great Pacificator”

The American SystemThe American System

What was it? What was it? A plan devised by Clay for an advantageous market. Clay believed this plan would create a balance in American agriculture, manufacturing and commerce.

Background InformationBackground Information

The American system was split into three main parts:

A Strong Banking System Protective Tariffs Promoting Infrastructure

The American system was split into three main parts:

A Strong Banking System Protective Tariffs Promoting Infrastructure

Background InformationBackground Information A Strong Banking System:

Would provide plenty of credit and stabilize currency. It would create a national financial system

A Strong Banking System: Would provide plenty of credit and stabilize currency. It would create a national financial system

A Protective Tariff: A tax on European imports. Protected local industry America increased its money income because of the higher demand for their products as well as high tariffs.

Background InformationBackground Information Promoting Infrastructure:

Create solid transportation for America; roads, canals and more.

Link between the regions of America.Profits from the high tariffs would provide the

money for this plan Unified nation

It became easier to transport products and allowed America to properly defend itself.

Promoting Infrastructure:Create solid transportation for America; roads,

canals and more.Link between the regions of America.Profits from the high tariffs would provide the

money for this plan Unified nation

It became easier to transport products and allowed America to properly defend itself.

In 1817 Congress voted to distribute 1.5 million dollars to the states for internal improvements. However, President Madison declared this unconstitutional and it was vetoed.

In 1817 Congress voted to distribute 1.5 million dollars to the states for internal improvements. However, President Madison declared this unconstitutional and it was vetoed.

The “American System” was never enacted by Congress

The American system promoted the manufacturing of products as well as economic expansion, which appealed most to the North.

North’s large population allowed for the Tariff’s to be passed, despite the South’s opposition

The South did not benefit at all from this proposed system

The South relied on production of exports and this system created less demand for these exported goods.

Tariff of 1828, formed the basis for the nullification crisis.

Hurt their agrarian society by promoting industrialization.

West did not have the congressional votes to stop the tariff’s or the American System

Westward expansion = cheap land; this system = government would have a tighter hold on private speculators = BAD

Self- sufficient interdependent country The “American System” was proposed in the era of good feelings, after the war of 1812.

The “American System” would support the bank, establish a credit system, support federalism, and link the wealthy to the government.

Due to the proposed ideas of the “American System,” the Erie Canal and Cumberland Road were created

•Established a protective tariff (20-25% tax on imported goods)

•Bank printed a single currency (trade easier)

•Improved infrastructure (transportation systems, roads, etc.)

“Paved” the road for American Industrialization

America was no longer dependent on foreign nations.

Each region had its own product that contributed to the American economy.

Thus America became unified.

“Paved” the road for American Industrialization

America was no longer dependent on foreign nations.

Each region had its own product that contributed to the American economy.

Thus America became unified.