Final answer:
The Tariff of 1816 aimed to protect American manufacturers from foreign competition and generate revenue for internal improvements by setting import duties at 20-25%. It was part of a strategic move to bolster economic self-sufficiency following the trade disruptions of the War of 1812.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of the Tariff of 1816 was primarily centered around the protection and stimulation of the American manufacturing sector. After the War of 1812, it became evident that the United States needed to reduce its reliance on foreign trade and increase its self-sufficiency in manufactured goods. The British blockade during the war had significantly impeded foreign trade, leading to this realization. The tariff set rates at around 20 percent for most goods and 25 percent for textiles, aiming to protect domestic industries from foreign competition and generate government revenue for internal improvements.
Politicians like John C. Calhoun and Henry Clay supported the tariff, seeing it as a way to encourage American-made goods and fund infrastructure while catering to both protective and revenue-generating interests. Despite opposition from those who believed it would negatively impact the agriculture sector, the tariff was also seen as crucial for the growth of commercialized agriculture due to its connection to manufacturing.