The American System TRanscript
Written by Noah Koehler
The hot topic of debate in Congress at the time of Jackson’s inauguration was the
American System. This system, proposed by Henry Clay, contained two main parts,
one being a protective tariff and the other was national subsidies for
transportation projects. This program was a much needed addition to America’s
domestic policy as seen in the War of 1812 when the US army could not easily
maneuver due to a lack of good roads. In 1824, while still a senator running for
the office of president, Andrew Jackson supported the idea of a federal program
of internal improvements. Ultimately, though, Jackson, in his later presidency,
hated the squabbling among state senators over who would receive which American
System grants, and he vehemently publicized his position in the Maysville Road
veto.
“Such grants [of money by the federal government] have always been [passed] under the
control of the general principle that the works which might be thus aided should
be "of a general, not local, national, not State," character. A disregard of
this distinction would of necessity lead to the subversion of the federal
system.... I am not able," Jackson said "to view [the Maysville Road Bill] in
any other light than as a measure of purely local character.... It has no
connection with any established system of improvements; [and] is exclusively
within the limits of a State [Kentucky]....”
In contrast to Jackson's opposition to the American System, Clay's arguments for
the American System predicted bankruptcy if the system was ignored or denied,
and prosperity, now and in the future, if the system was supported and upheld.
Concerned with bad roads and a lack of efficient transportation systems, Clay
argued that commerce, agriculture, and industry would be hurt without national
subsidies. In arguing for federal support for roads and canals, he expresses
strongly that "the prosperity (of the time) will be preserved and augmented and
the nation will continue rapidly to advance in wealth, power, and
greatness..."
Henry Clay’s American system was one of the few federal programs that could actually
promote harmony and equilibrium of a national economy which contained commerce,
agriculture and industry. Clay used three prongs to cover three facets of the
economy. A national bank was created to encourage commerce. A protective tariff
kept the industries in America secure. Federal subsidies helped promote the
building of roads and canals. On February 2nd, 3rd and 6th, 1832 Henry Clay
defended the protective tariff portion of the American System in a long, drawn
out speech to congress from southern opponents, including Vice President John C.
Calhoun and Senator Robert Y. Hayne of South Carolina.
For a look at Clay's speech, check out this website.
http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/AmericanSystem.pdf
The hot topic of debate in Congress at the time of Jackson’s inauguration was the
American System. This system, proposed by Henry Clay, contained two main parts,
one being a protective tariff and the other was national subsidies for
transportation projects. This program was a much needed addition to America’s
domestic policy as seen in the War of 1812 when the US army could not easily
maneuver due to a lack of good roads. In 1824, while still a senator running for
the office of president, Andrew Jackson supported the idea of a federal program
of internal improvements. Ultimately, though, Jackson, in his later presidency,
hated the squabbling among state senators over who would receive which American
System grants, and he vehemently publicized his position in the Maysville Road
veto.
“Such grants [of money by the federal government] have always been [passed] under the
control of the general principle that the works which might be thus aided should
be "of a general, not local, national, not State," character. A disregard of
this distinction would of necessity lead to the subversion of the federal
system.... I am not able," Jackson said "to view [the Maysville Road Bill] in
any other light than as a measure of purely local character.... It has no
connection with any established system of improvements; [and] is exclusively
within the limits of a State [Kentucky]....”
In contrast to Jackson's opposition to the American System, Clay's arguments for
the American System predicted bankruptcy if the system was ignored or denied,
and prosperity, now and in the future, if the system was supported and upheld.
Concerned with bad roads and a lack of efficient transportation systems, Clay
argued that commerce, agriculture, and industry would be hurt without national
subsidies. In arguing for federal support for roads and canals, he expresses
strongly that "the prosperity (of the time) will be preserved and augmented and
the nation will continue rapidly to advance in wealth, power, and
greatness..."
Henry Clay’s American system was one of the few federal programs that could actually
promote harmony and equilibrium of a national economy which contained commerce,
agriculture and industry. Clay used three prongs to cover three facets of the
economy. A national bank was created to encourage commerce. A protective tariff
kept the industries in America secure. Federal subsidies helped promote the
building of roads and canals. On February 2nd, 3rd and 6th, 1832 Henry Clay
defended the protective tariff portion of the American System in a long, drawn
out speech to congress from southern opponents, including Vice President John C.
Calhoun and Senator Robert Y. Hayne of South Carolina.
For a look at Clay's speech, check out this website.
http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/resources/pdf/AmericanSystem.pdf