Studies On Henry Clay's Economical And Political Thought

Henry Clay is the most important politician and speaker in both the Senate and the Representative in American history. Also, he is the organizer and leader of the Whig Party, and an advocate of economical modernization in America.However, history is full of dramatics. Take Clay for example, although he was active in the early days after the founding of America, he runned for the president five times, but they all ended in failure. Furthermore, when competed with his antagonist Andrew Jackson, he also failed. However, that is where the dramatic of history lies. After Clay died, his economical and political heritage, played a more and more important part in American history.From a special historical angle of view, based on the historical facts and with references from the achievements of researchers both in China and abroad,this essay deals with the main contents and characteristics of Clay's economical and political thought, then reveals the important part Clay played in American history.This paper consists of four chapters.The first chapter is introduction. First, the research meaning is introduced. And then the present research situation is reviewed. It puts forward some issues already solved by researchers and as well as those unsolved.The second chapter is about Clay's economical thought—the American System. His economical thought is profound and original, it contains: a protective tariff to support manufacturing, a system of improvements to facilitate commercial intercourse, and a national bank to provide credit and a steady money supply. This system is hailed by his partisans as his supreme contribution to the prosperity and future growth of the American nation.The third chapter is about Clay's political thought. To sum up, they include three aspects: First, the antislavery thought. Clay hates slavery , but he also hates abolishing slavery at once. He claimed to deal with slavery problem by the tactics of compromise and by restricting slavery. Second, the executive thought. Clay opposed the expansion of executive power , especially, he opposed the chief executive to exceeding his authority. In order to defend the democratic republic, he maintains to carry out the separation of the three powers in a strict manner. Third, the political Party thought. As the originator of the Whig Party, Clay makes great contribution to the development of the two-party system. So he deserves great honors and is called"the Father of the Whig Party".The fourth chapter is centered on Clay's social practice. Then include: supporting the War of 1812 as the leader of the War Hawk; opposing the nullification and drafting The Missouri Compromise and the 1850 Compromise. From these social practice, we can see Clay's nationalism for preserving the Union.