Henry Clay's Vision for America's Economy

Henry Clay invented the blueprint for making America an economic superpower back in 1832,

and we're still using parts of it today. His American System had three genius

moves: protective tariffs to shield American businesses, a national bank to handle the money,

and federal funding for roads and canals to connect everything. The wild part? He funded it all

through those same tariffs and selling public land. Clay wasn't just protecting American

industry, he was creating economic independence from Britain's free trade dominance.

When Andrew Jackson tried to kill it, Clay fought back with a legendary three day speech

that packed the Senate chamber. His voice could go from soft as a lute to full as