Describe the idea of Henry Clay’s “American System.”

The American System concerns a program for the economic and cultural development of the United States proclaimed by important figures in politics, such as Henry Clay and John Quincy Adams. According to Ha, it was primarily a “political expression of American nationalism.” The core idea implied by Henry Clay in the American System is for the United States to become independent of the political and economic influence of Europe. The initial concept of the system involved a high tariff policy to support the American industry by establishing the domestic market. Clay’s perception of the American System was submitted to Congress in 1824 and 1832, where he emphasized the feasibility and constitutional validity of protective tariffs. The following aspects of the systems were noted, such as comprehension of coasting tonnage and trade with the foreign tonnage excluded, the embrace of fisheries, as well as all the hardy and enterprising fishermen. Besides, the American System extended to almost every mechanic art. With that said, the view of the American System by Clay strongly supports the idea of improvement.