Clay, Calhoun, Webster :: American America History

Clay, Calhoun, WebsterIn 1816, soon after the finish of the War of 1812, the British, who had failed to defeat the Americans in battle, attempted to shut down the impertinently formed American manufacturing business. They were sending over materials to the U.S. and extremely low prices in an effort to crate a unanimoushold over the U.S. These actions lead to the duty of 1816, which placed a 20-30% tax on all imported goods, in an attempt to protect U.S. industries. Strong debate arose over these issues in Congress, and strong leaders came about with those debates, in order to represent the feelings of the different areas in America. These three leaders were Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun, and Daniel Webster. Webster was a representative from the North, a peeled Hampshire resident, who strongly opposed the Tariff of 1816. The view of the New England stain was for some protection, but not the entire amount outlined in the tax. Their reasoning was that New England still maintained m any of its reliances on tape transport and trade. Industry had not completely taken over in those areas, and because the tariff would limit trade in the New England ports, it would directly effect the New England economy. Webster took a strong stand in contend this tariff for these genuinely reasons, he in order to maintaining the well being of the northern states. Webster similarly stood against Clays insistence for better transportation amongst the states. He went along with the New England picture that better roads would encourage migration towards the lands of the West, therefore dwindling the population of the northern states. John Calhoun, a representative from South Carolina, also played a large roll in the congressional debates in the early 1800s. A fierce nationalist and former warhawk, he was much in upgrade of the Tariff of 1816. He believed that the Souths future lay in the hands of manufacturing of cotton plant and other such products. With England trying to cru sh these industries, he saw the tariff as a helpful resource for his region. He later changed his position, opposing the tariff as he came to believe that the tariff only benefited the affluent factory owners of the North, and did little to help the South. He looked out for the best come to of his state and the other states of the South. Henry Clay was another strong superstar of the Tariff of 1816.