1. The American System

2. Issues in the U.S.
Western states were cut off from the eastern states because there were very few roads between them
European countries were flooding U.S. market with inexpensive goods
The Bank of the U.S. charter had run out
States were printing their own currencies

3. The American System Purpose: unify North and South
Proposed by Henry Clay
3 major points:
Improve transportation and communication
Establish a protective tariff for American goods
A tariff is a tax on imported goods
Bring back the National Bank of the U.S. and create a single currency

4. The American System
The North would produce manufactured goods for the South and the South would provide the agricultural products the North needed
With each region sustaining each other, the U.S. would be economically independent from Europe

5. Infrastructure
The basic physical and organizational structures and facilities needed for society to function
(ex. buildings, roads, means of communication, and power supplies)

6. Improvements to Infrastructure in the 1800s
Railroads
Canals
Roads

7. Railroads Boom
Fast, could cross any terrain, could operate in severe weather
Steam Locomotive invented in 1825

8. Erie Canal (1825) Linked Atlantic Ocean to Great Lakes
Erie Canal (1825)
Linked Atlantic Ocean to Great Lakes
Made New York City a dominant port city

9. National Road (1838)
Connected Maryland to Illinois

10. Infrastructure Map
In what region were most of the canals and roads located?
Why do you think this region had the most?

11. Population of Select Cities
What happened to population between 1820 & 1840 in all 4 cities?
How would you describe the population of New York compared to Philadelphia in 1820?
How would you describe the population of New York compared to Philadelphia in 1840?
What might explain this change?

12. Population Map 1. What region had the highest population by 1850?
2. Why do you think that is?
Population
Map

13. Economic Issues of the War of 1812
British goods had stockpiled during the War of because Americans weren’t buying them
After the war, the British sold these surplus goods for very cheap
No one was buying the more expensive American goods
$25
$10
Made in the U.S.A.
Made in Great Britain

14. $25 $25 Tariff of 1816 Tariff= tax on imported goods
Put a tax on British goods so they were more expensive than U.S. goods
Allowed U.S. goods to compete
$10
+ tariff
$25
$25
Made in the U.S.A.
Made in Great Britain

15. Sectionalism leads to Disagreement
The North liked the tariff (needed to sell goods to make money)
The South and West did not like the tariff (didn’t want to pay more for goods) but were convinced to accept it
We like the tariff b/c it protects our economy!
We don’t really like the tariff but it doesn’t really hurt us so whatever