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Question: Why were internal improvements a controversial issue in the decade following the war of 1812!?
What I have discovered so far is President Madison thought federal handouts for internal improvements (specifically roadways) was unconstitutional!. also New England was opposed to federally constructed roads because such outlets would drain their population and create competing states beyond the mountains!.
I don't know for sure that this is directly relative BUT I would venture to say that The Panice of 1819 should have made internal improvements less paramount because people were concerned about going hungry or homeless, not worried about roadways!.
What else!? I must be missing something!.Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
The War of 1812 and the embargos leading up to it interrupted America’s supply of imported goods, especially from Britain!. After the war, Britain started “dumping” their goods on American markets, hurting America’s new industries!. The idea of internal improvements was to help America become more self-sufficient!. As factories were popping up all over they needed roads, canals, and bridges to transport their goods to markets!. This was part of a larger plan called the American System that also advocated protective tariffs and a national bank!. These were ideas that became central to the Whig Party, and it is my understanding that New England manufacturers would have been supportive of them!.Www@QuestionHome@Com