Which best describes Henry Clay’s American System?
A:It placed tariffs on Southern goods to benefit people in the North.
B:It placed tariffs on foreign imports to build roads and infrastructure.
C:It was a compromise that brought the nullification crisis to an end.
D:It lowered prices for imports, which became cheaper than American goods.
Answer: B:It placed tariffs on foreign imports to build roads and infrastructure.
The American System of Henry Clay was an arrangement of economic actions that, being somewhat similar to mercantilism, aimed at economic independence, together with unity of the Nation. The main feature of this system was the establishment of tariffs on incoming subsidized goods from abroad. These tariffs served two purposes: what did the tariffs do is to make imported goods more pricy, which is why it can be assessed that they stimulated the domestic industry, thus protecting American industries from the competition of foreign ones. Next, the proceeds from the tariffs were to be employed for domestic developments, especially, first for the construction of the roads, canals and other infrastructures. According to the Clay this process would promote growth of economy, create new jobs, transportation, communication and solidarity inside of country at the end of which it will be much wealthier and unified nation .
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