Title: Henry Clay and the American System for kids ***
Headings: The American System
The American System
Content: The chartering of the Second Bank of the United States on April 10, 1816 was badly managed at first and the Panic of 1819 occurred when the Second Bank of the United States tightened its loan policy.) The Significance of the American System: What was the significance of the American System? ● New industries were established
● Factories were built
● America reduced their dependence on foreign goods
● Americans prospered and felt confident in making homes in the new lands acquired in the Louisiana Purchase and in Florida
● Roads and canals were built that enabled Americans to travel and the Cumberland Road, the Erie Canal were constructed
● General Survey Act of 1824 was passed, authorizing the president to have surveys made of important transportation routes by the Corps of Engineers
● The American System helped to fuel the belief in the Manifest Destiny of the United States
For additional information of transportation systems of the 1800's refer to Railroads in the 1800s, Steamboats of the 1800's and the History of Turnpikes. The American System for kids: Who was Henry Clay? Who was Henry Clay? ● Henry Clay was a strong supporter of the American System
● He was a lawyer, statesman and excellent orator
● Henry Clay was born on April 12, 1777 in Virginia, married Lucretia Hart Clay and had eleven children
● He owned a plantation and law firm in Kentucky
● Henry Clay started his political career as a State Legislator for Kentucky in 1803
● He was elected to the Senate in 1806 and 1810
● In 1811 Henry Clay was elected to the House of Representatives and chosen Speaker of the House
● He was one of the 'War Hawks' who advocated war with the British in the War of 1812
● Henry Clay was a strong supporter of the economic policies of Alexander Hamilton (who had been killed in 1804 in the Aaron Burr duel)
● It was Henry Clay who named the national economic plan to build US industry, the 'American System'
● Henry Clay, together with John. C. Calhoun (a politician, political theorist and proponent of a protective tariffs), helped to push through the Protective Tariff of 1816
● The 'American System' was implemented during the Era of Good Feelings
● The Tariff of 1828 aka the "Tariff of Abominations" raised tariffs considerably in an attempt to protect new factories
● Henry Clay's American System eventually ran out of steam during the administration of President Jackson
Protective Tariffs
For additional facts and a timeline refer to Protectionism and Tariffs. American System for kids - President James Monroe Video
The article on the American System provides an overview of one of the Important events in his presidential term in office.