Question

“The creation of a home market is not only necessary to procure for our agriculture a just reward of its labors, but it is indispensable to obtain a supply of our necessary wants. . . . Suppose no actual abandonment of farming, but, what is most likely, a gradual and imperceptible employment of population in the business of manufacturing, instead of being compelled to resort to agriculture. . . . Is any part of our common country likely to be injured by a transfer of the theatre of [manufacturing] for our own consumption from Europe to America?

“. . . Suppose it were even true that Great Britain had abolished all restrictions upon trade, and allowed the freest introduction of the [products] of foreign labor, would that prove it unwise for us to adopt the protecting system? The object of protection is the establishment and perfection of the [manufacturing] arts. In England it, has accomplished its purpose, fulfilled its end. . . . The adoption of the restrictive system, on the part of the United States, by excluding the [products] of foreign labor, would extend the [purchasing] of American [products], unable, in the infancy and unprotected state of the arts, to sustain a competition with foreign fabrics. Let our arts breathe under the shade of protection; let them be perfected as they are in England, and [then] we shall be ready . . . to put aside protection, and enter upon the freest exchanges.”

Henry Clay, speaker of the House of Representatives, speech in Congress, 1824


Which of the following was an interpretation of the speech by opponents of the goals Clay expressed in the excerpt?


Clay was seeking to discourage factory production to protect traditional artisans.

Option A,Clay was seeking to discourage factory production to protect traditional artisans.

a

Clay’s proposal would require the expansion of slavery to supply factory workers.

Option B,Clay’s proposal would require the expansion of slavery to supply factory workers.

b

Clay’s manufacturing plan would benefit one section of the country more than others.

Option C,Clay’s manufacturing plan would benefit one section of the country more than others.

c

Clay was seeking to encourage an increase in imports of British manufactured goods.

Option D,Clay was seeking to encourage an increase in imports of British manufactured goods.

d

Answer 1

c

Opponents (especially Southerners) argued Clay’s protectionist plan disproportionately benefited Northern manufacturers at the South’s expense by raising prices on imports and creating a sectional advantage for industry.