Henry Clay (Noun)
Meaning
United States politician responsible for the Missouri Compromise between free and slave states (1777-1852).
Classification
Nouns denoting people.
Examples
- Henry Clay was a dominant figure in American politics for over four decades, serving as a congressman, senator, and secretary of state.
- The Missouri Compromise, brokered by Henry Clay, allowed Missouri to enter the Union as a slave state and banned slavery in the Louisiana Territory north of the 36°30' parallel.
- Henry Clay's American System, which included a national bank, tariffs, and internal improvements, was designed to promote economic development and strengthen the federal government.
- As a member of the Whig Party, Henry Clay ran for president three times, but was unsuccessful in his bids for the White House.
- Henry Clay's legacy as the "Great Compromiser" has endured, as he played a key role in resolving several major crises in American history, including the Nullification Crisis and the Mexican-American War.