Title: Industrial Revolution: 1816-1860 | 5-Minute Economist
Headings: Industrial Revolution: 1816-1860
Industrial Revolution: 1816-1860
ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE HISTORY
EPI DATA FOR UNITED STATES: 1816 - 1860

Content: Industrial Revolution: 1816-1860 | 5-Minute Economist
Industrial Revolution: 1816-1860
ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE HISTORY
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F D C B A A+ Year EPI Industrial Revolution
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1816-1860
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United States 1816 - 1860 1820 1825 1830 1835 1840 1845 1850 1855 1860
1800 1850 1900 1950 2000
40 60 80 90 95 100 120
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The Industrial Revolution, which began in north Europe in the late 18th century, had quickly spread to the United States by early 19th century and gained speed following the War of 1812. The Whig Party, with the assistance of leading politicians including Henry Clay and John Quincy Adams, advanced a political philosophy of federalism where sovereignty was constitutionally divided between a central governing authority and constituent political units (i.e. states). Closely related was an economic philosophy championed by Henry Clay which he termed the “American System.” This combination led to a number of policies designed to strengthen and unify the nation. The most important tenets included: Support for a high tariff to protect American industries and generate revenue for the federal government; Maintenance of high public land prices to generate federal revenue; Preservation of the Bank of the United States to stabilize the currency and rein in risky state and local banks;