{"id":10633,"date":"2017-07-18T09:24:20","date_gmt":"2017-07-18T16:24:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/hs\/?p=10633"},"modified":"2022-06-14T09:25:30","modified_gmt":"2022-06-14T16:25:30","slug":"american-system-apush-topics-to-study-for-test-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/hs\/ap\/american-system-apush-topics-to-study-for-test-day\/","title":{"rendered":"American System: APUSH Topics to Study for Test Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"American<\/p>\n

The American System was Henry Clay\u2019s three-part economic plan for the United States in the early 19th century. American System APUSH questions will center on the purpose and components of the plan. <\/p>\n

What is the American System?<\/h2>\n

In the early 1800s, prominent Kentucky statesman Henry Clay proposed the American System\u2014 a plan designed to strengthen the economy of the United States. <\/p>\n

The American System had three parts: <\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Tariffs:<\/strong> A tariff is a tax on imports. Clay argued that high tariffs would encourage Americans to buy domestic goods rather than foreign goods and promote the growth of American industries. <\/li>\n
  2. National Bank:<\/strong> Clay wanted to reinstate a national bank after the First Bank of the United States\u2019 charter had expired in 1811. He believed a national bank would stabilize currency, promote trade, and limit the influence of riskier local banks. <\/li>\n
  3. Infrastructure:<\/strong> Clay wanted to improve and expand upon the nation\u2019s transportation network, making commercial transport much easier. He proposed paying for these improvements with revenues collected from the tariffs.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     
    \nParts of the American System were implemented by Congress. Tariffs remained high for much of the first half of the century. The Second Bank of the United States was chartered in 1816. Some infrastructure improvements were made, but not to the extent that Clay had hoped. Congress failed to approve adequate funding for the projects. Overall, however, Clay was proud of the plan and deemed it successful. <\/p>\n

    Important year to note for the American System: <\/h2>\n

    1816:<\/strong> Second Bank of the United States formed <\/p>\n

    Why is the American System so important?<\/h2>\n

    The American System shaped national economic policy in the first half of the 19th century. It helped the young nation to grow in strength. <\/p>\n

    Domestically, the American System was met with mixed reactions from the public. While many lauded it for bolstering growth, some were unhappy with its tenants. For example, the tariff was unpopular in the West and South, who felt that the tax unfairly favored the interests of northeastern manufacturers. This was part of a growing trend of sectionalism in the years leading up to the Civil War. <\/p>\n

    What are some historical people related to the American System? <\/h2>\n