Changes

[[image:henryclay.jpg|200px|thumb|Henry Clay]]

[[image:henryclay.jpg|200px|thumb|Henry Clay]]

'''Henry Clay''' (April 12, 1777 – June 29, 1852) was a prominent [[United States]] [[Congress|Congressman]] representing the state of [[Kentucky]], and founder and dominant leader of the [[Whig Party]] during the [[Second Party System]]. Clay led the opposition to [[Andrew Jackson]] and [[Jacksonian democracy]]. He is called the "Great Compromiser" for his leadership on the [[Missouri Compromise]] in 1820, the [[Nullification Crisis]] in 1832, and the [[Compromise of 1850]].  

'''Henry Clay''' (April 12, 1777 – June 29, 1852) was a prominent [[United States]] [[Congress|Congressman]] representing the state of [[Kentucky]], and founder and dominant leader of the [[Whig Party]] during the [[Second Party System]]. Clay led the opposition to [[Andrew Jackson]], [[Martin Van Buren]], [[James Knox Polk]]  and [[Jacksonian Democracy]]. He is called the "Great Compromiser" for his leadership on the [[Missouri Compromise]] in 1820, the [[Nullification Crisis]] in 1832, and the [[Compromise of 1850]].  

Clay's economic goal was the modernization of the American economy, based on cities, railroads, factories, banks, and well-educated middle class entrepreneurs, in opposition to the Jacksonians who opposed modernization and wanted instead more western farms for their yeoman farmers.  Clay opposed "[[Manifest Destiny]]", geographical expansion and the [[Mexican War]]. Clay is considered (along with [[Daniel Webster]]) the leading conservative of his age, even though he was often defeated by the [[Jacksonian Democracy|Jacksonian liberals]]. One of Clay's most devoted followers was [[Abraham Lincoln]], who shaped his economic policies after Clay's.

Clay's economic goal was the modernization of the American economy, based on cities, railroads, factories, banks, and well-educated middle class entrepreneurs, in opposition to the Jacksonians who opposed modernization and wanted instead more western farms for their yeoman farmers.  Clay opposed "[[Manifest Destiny]]", geographical expansion and the [[Mexican War]]. Clay is considered (along with [[Daniel Webster]]) the leading conservative of his age, even though he was often defeated by the [[Jacksonian Democracy|Jacksonian liberals]]. One of Clay's most devoted followers was [[Abraham Lincoln]], who shaped his economic policies after Clay's.

Clay owned slaves but tried to downplay or compromise the slavery issue, in opposition to [[John C,. Calhoun]] who emphasized it. Clay served as [[Speaker of the House]], [[Secretary of State]], and [[Senator]] and is noted for his three unsuccessful [[President of the United States of America|presidential]] campaigns in 1824, 1832, and 1844.  "I would rather be right than be president," he often said.

Clay owned slaves but tried to downplay or compromise the slavery issue, in opposition to [[John C. Calhoun]] who emphasized it. Clay served as [[Speaker of the House]], [[Secretary of State]], and [[Senator]] and is noted for his three unsuccessful [[President of the United States of America|presidential]] campaigns in 1824, 1832, and 1844.  "I would rather be right than be president," he often said.

==Origins==

==Origins==