Tariff of 1816 for kids: Background History
America was a new nation, free from the yoke of the British in the
Revolutionary War. The
War of 1812
(aka 'Second War for Independence' with the British) had
ended in a stalemate but made Americans realize that they needed to
become independent from Britain and the other countries of Europe,
in a commercial and economic sense. Before the War of 1812 the US
had depended on the British for most of their manufactured goods,
84% of people in the country were farmers. During the Napoleonic
Wars and the War of 1812 the blockade of Europe led British
manufacturers to offer goods in the United States at low prices that
the American manufacturers often could not match.
The War of 1812 had created
shortages in the country - the US needed to become self-sufficient.
There was a plentiful supply of natural resources. The US needed
factories to make the goods. The government needed to create a
climate in which American trade would flourish and provide money for
the industrialists. The Tariff of
1816 was part of a plan to reach these goals.
Tariff of 1816 for kids: The American System
Henry Clay (1777 – 1852) was a great supporter of the American
System - refer to
Henry Clay and the 'American System'. The American System was an economic
plan based on many of the ideas of Alexander Hamilton that aimed at improving
the economy of the US and the lives of American citizens. The American System
was based on:
● Taxing all
foreign goods, to boost the sales of US
products and protect manufacturers from
cheap British goods (Tariff of 1816)
● Establishing another Bank of the United
States to offer easy credit to Americans
● Constructing new roads and canals in the
West
The Tariff of 1816, placed a 20-25% tax on all foreign goods.
Before the War of 1812, duties averaged about 12.5%.
Significance of the
Tariff of 1816
The
Significance of the Tariff of 1816: The Tariff of 1816 helped American businesses compete with British and
European factories. It heralded the time in American history that is
known as the Era of Good Feelings.
It was the time of great inventions, an Industrial revolution, and
machines like the
Eli Whitney
Cotton Gin
and the
Samuel Slater cotton mill
were revolutionizing the manufacture of American goods. The
protective Tariff of 1816, as part of the 'American System' made it
possible for the government galvanize the manufacturing industries
in America. The country saw the emergence of 'King Cotton' as a cash
crop in the
South and the growth of textile mills, breweries and distilleries
and other factories in the north. The Northerners had particular reason to
support the Tariff of 1816.
Significance of the
Tariff of 1816: Protective Tariffs
The Tariff of 1816 was the first of the protective tariffs.
The Tariff
of 1824 was the second protective tariff and the
Tariff
of 1828 (the Tariff of Abominations) led to the
Nullification Crisis, in
which the sectional interests of the North and the South had truly came into
conflict for the first time.
Protective Tariffs
For additional facts and a timeline
refer to
Protectionism and Tariffs.
Tariff of 1816 for kids - President James Madison Video
The article on the
Tariff of 1816 provides an overview of one of the Important issues of his presidential term in office. The following
James Madison video will
give you additional important facts and dates about the political events experienced by the 4th American President whose presidency spanned from March 4, 1809 to March 4, 1817.
Tariff of 1816
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Interesting Facts about the
Tariff of 1816 for kids and schools
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The British and Americans and the Tariff of 1816
●
The Tariff of 1816, a Important
event in US history
●
James Madison Presidency from March 4, 1809 to March 4, 1817
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Fast, fun, interesting facts about the Protective Tariff of 1816
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Foreign & Domestic
policies of President James Madison
●
James Madison Presidency and
the protective Tariff of 1816 for schools,
homework, kids and children |