Question

In one or two paragraphs, describe how the American System changed the U.S. economy in the 1800s. Then explain why some people disliked the American System.

Answer 1

The American System instituted protective tariffs, a national bank, and internal improvements, fostering U.S. economic growth and industrialization. Opposition arose due to regional disparities and concerns over federal power.

Step-by-step explanation:

The American System was a plan to strengthen and unify the nation's economy in the early 19th century through protective tariffs, a national bank, and internal improvements such as transportation infrastructure. This system transformed the U.S. economy by fostering industrial growth in the north and contributing to the development of a national market. The protective tariffs aided nascent American industries by reducing foreign competition, which in turn increased domestic manufacturing. The national bank aimed to stabilize currency and credit, whereas internal improvements allowed for the faster movement of goods and resources across the country.

However, the American System was met with opposition from various sections of society. Some people disliked the system because they felt it favored certain regions over others, namely that it benefited the industrial North at the expense of the agricultural South. The increased tariffs angered Southern states that relied on imported goods and the export of raw materials. Additionally, there were political concerns about the strengthened role of the federal government, which some argued infringed on states’ rights.

Answer 2

The American System changed the U.S. economy in the 1800s by developing new policies that improved the country’s economic growth. In the passage, it says Henry Clay had three important goals in the American System: to manage the economy with a national bank, to protect the industry with a high tariff, and to improve transportation by building roads and canals. He created and passed many laws that supported his plan. As a result, he was able to achieve many of his goals, which helped improve and strengthen the U.S. economy. It also states that the transportation improvements made it easier and cheaper for factories to ship out goods to other parts of the country. This is just one of the contributions the American System made to the economy.

Some people disliked the American System because it compromised their ability to sell products to other countries. The passage states that tariffs made it expensive for American farmers to sell their crops to other countries, forcing farmers to lower their prices. This means that tariffs jeopardized the farmers’ business and wealth.