Why were northern states in favor of Hamilton’s protective tariff on domestic industries?

Northern states were generally in favor of Alexander Hamilton's protective tariff on domestic industries for several reasons:

1. Industrial Growth: The northern states were more industrialized than the southern states, with many factories and manufacturing businesses. A protective tariff would help these industries thrive by making imported goods more expensive, thereby encouraging consumers to buy domestically produced goods.

2. Economic Independence: By protecting domestic industries from foreign competition, northern states aimed to attain greater economic independence and reduce reliance on imported goods. This, in turn, would strengthen the domestic economy and create jobs.

3. Revenue Generation: The tariff served as a source of revenue for the federal government, which was particularly important as Hamilton was also aiming to establish a strong federal financial system. This revenue was necessary for paying off debts from the Revolutionary War and funding the government.

4. Political Alignment: The support for tariffs was aligned with the Federalist Party, which was dominant in the northern states at that time. Federalists were generally in favor of a strong central government and industrial growth, which corresponded with the interests of northern businesses and manufacturers.

5. Protection from Economic Vulnerabilities: Northern industrialists faced threats from foreign competition, particularly as European countries produced goods more cheaply. Protective tariffs helped shield northern industries from these pressures, allowing them to grow and innovate.

Overall, the protective tariff was seen as a means to promote economic development in the North, protect emerging American industries, and secure the financial stability of the federal government. These factors contributed to a strong push from northern states in favor of Hamilton's tariff proposals.