What was the “American System”?
Include the differing viewpoints of Henry Clay and Thomas Jefferson on this subject.
short sentences
The "American System" was an economic plan proposed by Henry Clay in the early 19th century. It aimed to promote economic development and protect American industries.
Henry Clay supported the American System and believed it would unite the country, strengthen the economy, and create a self-sufficient nation. He advocated for protective tariffs, a national bank, and internal improvements like roads and canals.
Thomas Jefferson opposed the American System and saw it as an unconstitutional expansion of federal power. He feared it would favor the industrial North at the expense of the agrarian South, causing economic disparities and undermining states' rights. Jefferson advocated for a limited federal role and favored an agrarian-based economy.