Henry Clay: The Essential American

Henry Clay: The Essential American

by David S. Heidler

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	10122 KB
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Print length	:	938 pages
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Henry Clay was one of the most important and influential figures in American history. He was a leading figure in the War of 1812, and he played a key role in the development of the American System. He was also a strong advocate for the abolition of slavery.

Early Life and Career

Henry Clay was born on April 12, 1777, in Hanover County, Virginia. His father was a Baptist minister, and his mother was a devout Christian. Clay received a classical education, and he studied law at the College of William & Mary. After graduating from law school, Clay moved to Kentucky, where he began his political career.

Clay was elected to the Kentucky legislature in 1803, and he quickly became a rising star in the Democratic-Republican Party. In 1806, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he served for over 30 years. Clay was a strong advocate for the War of 1812, and he played a key role in the negotiations that led to the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the war.

The American System

After the War of 1812, Clay emerged as one of the leading proponents of the American System. The American System was a series of economic policies designed to promote the growth of the American economy. The system included a protective tariff, a national bank, and a system of internal improvements.

Clay believed that the American System would help to create a more prosperous and independent America. The system would protect American industries from foreign competition, and it would provide the capital and infrastructure necessary for economic growth. Clay's support for the American System made him a popular figure in the West, and he was often referred to as the "Great Compromiser."

The Abolition of Slavery

Clay was also a strong advocate for the abolition of slavery. He believed that slavery was a moral evil, and he worked to end it throughout his career. In 1820, Clay played a key role in the passage of the Missouri Compromise, which prohibited slavery in the northern territories. Clay also supported the American Colonization Society, which worked to resettle free blacks in Africa.

Clay's support for the abolition of slavery made him a controversial figure in the South. However, he remained committed to his beliefs, and he continued to speak out against slavery until his death.

Legacy

Henry Clay was one of the most important and influential figures in American history. He was a leading figure in the War of 1812, and he played a key role in the development of the American System. He was also a strong advocate for the abolition of slavery.

Clay's legacy is complex and controversial. He was a brilliant orator and a skilled politician, but he was also a slave owner and a supporter of the Indian Removal Act. However, there is no doubt that Clay was one of the most important figures in American history, and his contributions to the nation are still felt today.

Further Reading

• Bob Blaisdell, Henry Clay: Statesman for the Union (Lexington: University Press of Kentucky, 1987).
• James M. McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era (New York: Oxford University Press, 1988).
• Niall Ferguson, The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World (New York: Penguin Books, 2008).

Henry Clay: The Essential American

by David S. Heidler

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	10122 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	938 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE