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To: billbears
For what it's worth, Henry Clay (KY) and JohnTyler (VA, mentioned in your post, were both southerners. It is misleading to portray the entire history of the tariff issue as one between the North (in favor) and the South (opposed). The issue was fought out over a 40 to 50 year period, with many different alliances and groups forming on each side.

For instance, during most of this period, there was no "North vs. South" alignment, as such. There was a Northeast, a Southeast and an undifferentiated West. Generally speaking, the SE and the West were allied against the NE.

It wasn't until southern politicians began campaigning hard for expansion of slavery into the territories that the West split into northern and southern segments.

It is interesting that many of those who are today most adamantly in favor of restrictions on imports are the same individuals most appalled by the fact that tariffs were used in early America to protect "infant industries."

Protective tariffs first became an issue after the War of 1812, when it became obvious that America was highly dependent on foreign sources for much of its potential war materiel.

412 posted on 11/22/2001 6:11:15 PM PST by Restorer
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To: Restorer
For what it's worth, Henry Clay (KY) and JohnTyler (VA, mentioned in your post, were both southerners. It is misleading to portray the entire history of the tariff issue as one between the North (in favor) and the South (opposed).

Huh, and my history book says Kentucky stayed in the Union.

In fact, the tariff elevated the rate on manufactured goods to about 50% of their value, resulting in significantly greater protection for New England cloth manufacturers

Manufacturing interests in the United States (particularly in the West and New England) did not yet carry the political clout in Congress that mercantile and shipping interests (who tended to oppose tariffs) did

I don't know what that tells you but pretty much sums up ; north---manufacturing---tariffs--protectionist ; South---shipping---no tariffs---free trade. Really that's about as basic as you can get. Don't see any other way to read that

413 posted on 11/22/2001 6:28:12 PM PST by billbears
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