Clay's American System, which included high tariffs on imported goods, aimed to create a self-sustaining economy within the United States and to foster regional cooperation. The two points that best illustrate how this system would have benefited the West and South are:
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He expected that state-constructed roads, which would make the transportation of goods from each region profitable, would be built from the funds. - The high tariffs would generate revenue that could be invested in infrastructure projects like roads and canals. Improved transportation would facilitate the movement of agricultural products from the West and South to markets in the North and beyond, making it easier for these regions to profit from their goods.
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He expected that Northerners would use their profits to buy farmed goods from the West and South. - By protecting Northern industries with tariffs, Clay anticipated that those industries would prosper and generate profits that would then be reinvested in purchasing agricultural products from the West and South. This interdependence would help to strengthen economic ties between the regions.
These points illustrate the intended benefits of Clay's American System for regional economies and the broader goal of fostering national economic unity.