The American System was a series of economic policies proposed by Henry Clay, a prominent American politician of the early 19th century. The system aimed to promote economic development in the United States through various means, including tariffs, internal improvements (such as roads and canals), and a national bank.
The South was opposed to the American System for several reasons. First, they believed that the tariffs imposed under the system would disproportionately harm their economy, as they relied heavily on exports of agricultural products, which would become more expensive due to the tariffs. Second, they were concerned that the internal improvements would primarily benefit the North and West, leaving the South behind. Third, they were wary of the power that a national bank could potentially wield over the economy.
As a result of these concerns, the South generally opposed the American System and often referred to it as the "Tariff of Abominations" due to its perceived negative impact on their economy.