Question

Identify the principal reason the South rejected the American System, Henry Clay’s plan to promote economic growth in all regions of the United States.

The South thought tariffs would protect their reliance on importing foreign goods

The South’s main source of wealth was smuggling.

The South wanted to protect their own industrial development by taxing U.S. goods.

The South’s reliance on slavery and agriculture would not see any benefit from tariffs on imports.

Answer 1

The correct answer is D) The South’s reliance on slavery and agriculture would not see any benefit from tariffs on imports.

The principal reason the South rejected the American System, Henry Clay’s plan to promote economic growth in all regions of the United States. was "The South’s reliance on slavery and agriculture would not see any benefit from tariffs on imports."

Southerners also thought that the American system gave the government too large a role in the economy.

Clay's American System included a special tariff that aimed to over-protect the industry of the United States, federal subsidies to improve the American infrastructure such as roads and public services, and the creation of a national bank to impulse trade.

However, as the southern economy depended too much on slaves that worked in the plantations growing crops, they did not find any real benefit in the American system implemented by Henry Clay.