One prominent critic of Manifest Destiny was Henry Clay, a Whig, who argued that instead of westward expansion,
A. the nation should focus on developing the territory that it already had with complex infrastructure.
B. the United States should negotiate its border with Canada and try to annex territory from the British.
C. farmers and settlers should be taught skills that allowed them to work in cities and factory towns.
D. the government should invest in the military to secure borders against foreign powers.
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The answer to the question is A. The nation should focus on developing the territory that it already had with complex infrastructure.
To arrive at this answer, we can analyze the options and explore the context surrounding Henry Clay's opposition to Manifest Destiny.
Manifest Destiny was a belief popularized in the 19th century that the United States was destined to expand its territory from the east coast to the west coast, thereby spreading its institutions and ideals across the continent. However, not everyone supported this concept, and Henry Clay was among its most prominent critics.
Option A suggests that Clay argued for focusing on developing the existing territory, which aligns with his stance against further westward expansion. Clay believed that the nation should prioritize building a strong infrastructure, such as roads, canals, and railroads, in the territory it already possessed. This focus on development within existing boundaries would allow for better utilization of available resources and economic growth.
Option B, negotiating the border with Canada and annexing British territory, does not directly relate to Clay's opposition to Manifest Destiny, as it implies further expansion rather than concentrating on existing territory.
Option C, teaching farmers and settlers skills for urban and industrial work, also does not directly correspond to Clay's argument against westward expansion. Although Clay advocated for a diversified economy, his main concern was with infrastructure development rather than urban skills training.
Option D, investing in the military for border security, may be indirectly related to Clay's stance. However, it does not address his specific argument for development within existing territory.
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