Henry Clay proposed the American System to strengthen the national economy through three means: a protective tariff to protect American industries, a national bank to establish a uniform currency, and federal funding of infrastructure projects. The goals were to improve transportation, encourage domestic manufacturing, and use tariff revenues to fund internal improvements like roads and canals to better connect the sections of the country. However, the tariff was controversial as it raised prices for Southern farmers and angered them.
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Henry clay’s american system notes
1. Henry Clay’s American System
TN Standard 8.46
Bell Ringer (Review from previous class period)
- What was the name of the road created by Congress that allowed easier
access to the American west?
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- Which type of boat introduced by Robert Fulton and Robert Livingston
allowed for easier river transportation?
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- An artificial waterway is called a _____________________.
- Which major artificial waterway connected the Hudson River to Buffalo,
NY?
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Essential Questions:
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Background Information- Henry Clay
1. Which two political groups were founded by Clay?
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2. Which major position did Clay hold?
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3. When we say Clay was a “nationalist,” what do we mean?
2. ________________________________________________________________________
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The American System
4. Aimed to improve the _______________________ in each section of the country.
5. How did it affect the power of the Federal government?
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6. What was the major goal?
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Protective Tariff
7. What is a “tariff?”
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8. How did this tariff affect the prices of European goods?
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9. What was the goal of this tariff?
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10. The money raised was used for _______________________ improvements
(roads, canals, etc.)
A New National Bank
11. Why would America want a single currency?
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12. How did the Second Bank of the United States affect American businesses?
3. ________________________________________________________________________
Internal Improvements
13. How did the American System seek to improve our system of transportation?
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14. How was trade improved with these improvements?
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15. How would these improvements benefit farmers and merchants?
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Sectionalism
16. Explain why Southerners were angry about higher tariffs.
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17. What were the three main sections of the country during this time period?
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Extension Activity- Sectionalism Map
Construct a map using the information below showing the major characteristics of
each major section of the country.