Henry Clay Leadership Compromises

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From the beginning the United States have been through several ups and downs. As a nation we have all had our differences between parties, classes, and social statuses. Many times we have come close to breaking apart but people like Henry Clay have been around to help keep the peace in our flourishing nation. Henry Clay leadership compromises were very effective and beneficial to our nation. Henry Clay, born to John and Elizabeth Hudson Clay was the seventh of nine children. He was born on April 12, 1777, in Hanover County, Virginia. In his early childhood at about age four, the British pillaged and looted the area where he lived which resulted in the death of his father. Having no fatherly guidance Henry only stayed in school for 3 years. In 1791 Elizabeth remarried and moved her children to Kentucky but Henry stayed in Richmond, Virginia. Henry’s stepfather was very kind and got him a job as a clerk at the Virginia high court of chancery. There he gained the favor of George Wythe who taught him how to read and write. He also studied law under the direction of Robert Brooke, a …show more content…
Three years later he moved to Washington to fulfill an unexpired term in the U.S. Senate and eventually went on to become Speaker of the House. This where he earned one of his famous title, War Hawk. There were several War Hawks, such as John C. Calhoun, But Clay is probably the most well know of them all. Their mission was to expand westward, promote war against England, and possibly even try to expand to Canada. Henry Clay showed his leadership by being the most outspoken of the member in the twelfth congress. He always used his intelligence and vast knowledge of the law to persuade other onto his side for many difficult decisions that needed to be made. Though his ideas seemed wise. Congress members soon realized that a war would shut down commerce completely between the two