Henry Clay proposed the American System, which aimed to promote economic development across all sections of the United States. The American System included protective tariffs to encourage domestic manufacturing, a national bank to stabilize the currency, and federal funding for internal improvements like roads, canals, and railroads to facilitate transportation and commerce. While the American System helped modernize the nation's infrastructure and economy, it also exacerbated sectional tensions between the industrial North and agricultural South by benefiting some regions more than others.

1. BELL RINGER
- What was the name of the road created by Congress that
allowed easier access to the American west?
- Which type of boat introduced by Robert Fulton and
Robert Livingston allowed for easier river transportation?
- An artificial waterway is called a _____________________.
- Which major artificial waterway connected the Hudson
River to Buffalo, NY?

2. Essential Question:
- How did Henry Clay’s American System influence
transportation and travel?
- How did Henry Clay’s American System promote
sectionalism in America?

3. - One of the War
Hawks
- Speaker of the
House of
Representative
s
- Nationalist
- Founder of the
Whig Party
BACKGROUND INFO- HENRY CLAY

4. - Some people called
it the “American
Way”
- A “nationalist”
program
- Aimed to improve
the economy in
each section of the
country
- Increased the
power of the
Federal government
- The goal was to
help the nation
grow
THE AMERICAN SYSTEM

5. - Review: A tariff is a
tax on imported
goods
- 20-25% tax
- Made European
goods more
expensive
- Encouraged
Americans to buy
American made
products
- Money raised was
used for internal
improvements
(roads, bridges,
canals, etc.)
PROTECTIVE TARIFF

6. - Established a single
currency to make trade
easier
- The original bank’s
charter expired in 1811
- After the First Bank
closed, state banks
loaned too much
money, leading to
inflation
- The Second Bank
stabilized the money
supply, allowing
American businesses
to grow
A NEW NATIONAL BANK

7. - Money was used to
improve
transportation
system
- More roads,
railroads, and
canals were built
- Trade became more
efficient
- Farmers and
merchants could get
their goods to the
market easier
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS

8. - Higher tariffs were designed to
protect American
manufacturers from foreign
competition.
- Southerners were angry
because higher tariffs
benefited Northern factories.
- The South was having to pay
higher prices for goods, with
no benefit.
- These tensions led to a
sectional divide in the country.
- The major sections were the
North, the South, and the West.
- Each section of the country
had strong voices in Congress
who promised to protect their
section.
SECTIONALISM

10. SUMMARIZER
Exit Ticket
- Answer BOTH of the essential questions
- How did Henry Clay’s American System influence
transportation and travel?
- How did Henry Clay’s American System promote
sectionalism in America?