Final answer:
Henry Clay was a key American statesman known as 'The Great Compromiser.' He made significant contributions to U.S. politics, particularly with the Compromise of 1850, and advocated for the American System to boost the nation's economy.
Step-by-step explanation:
Henry Clay, known as "The Great Compromiser," was an influential American statesman and a key figure in the U.S. Senate during the first half of the 19th century. He played a pivotal role in many legislative negotiations and had a reputation for crafting compromises during times of sectional conflict.
Clay was also involved in the "corrupt bargain" incident of 1824 and was a proponent of the American System, which aimed to strengthen the U.S. economy through high tariffs, a national bank, and federally sponsored internal improvements. His role in promoting national development while navigating the perils of slavery politics marked Clay as a central figure in the antebellum period.