Changes

==Political career==

==Political career==

Clay had an unusually long legislative career, serving in the state legislature, in the U.S. Senate (1806-7, 1809-10, 1831-42, 1849-52), and U.S. House (1811-21, 1823-25, Speaker 1811-20 and 1823-25).  He was a leader of the [[Democratic-Republican Party]] until it collapsed in the mid 1820s. He tried to create the "National Republican Party" (in 1828), then threw his energies into a new national [[Whig party]].

Clay had an unusually long legislative career, serving in the state legislature, in the U.S. Senate (1806-7, 1809-10, 1831-42, 1849-52), and U.S. House (1811-21, 1823-25, Speaker 1811-20 and 1823-25).  He was a leader of the [[Democratic-Republican Party]] until it collapsed in the mid 1820s. He tried to create the "National Republican Party" (in 1828), then threw his energies into a new national [[Whig party]].

===War of 1812===

===[[War of 1812]]===

Clay won election to the House of Representatives, taking his seat in 1811. His personality and skill in oratory had given him authority in Washington; Clay was promptly elected speaker, and by his unprecedented energy and competence gave the office a new significance. He was elected to the post six times, never meeting serious opposition.

Clay won election to the House of Representatives, taking his seat in 1811. His personality and skill in oratory had given him authority in Washington; Clay was promptly elected speaker, and by his unprecedented energy and competence gave the office a new significance. He was elected to the post six times, never meeting serious opposition.

Clay in 1811 became the leader of the "War Hawks," a combination of Westerners and Southerners that included [[Felix Grundy]] of Kentucky and [[John C. Calhoun]] of South Carolina. Displaying aggressive nationalism at a time Britain and France were at war, they were outraged by Great Britain's refusal to permit American trade with France, and its impressment of American seamen into the British navy. Kentuckians resented what it considered British influence among western Indians, which turned to massacre settlers on the American frontiersmen. Clay boasted that the Kentucky militia alone could seize Montreal and Upper Canada and so settle all frontier problems. As speaker of the House, he appointed "War Hawks" to key committees and supported President [[James Madison]] demands for war (the [[War of 1812]]) with Great Britain. The House and Senate declared war in June, after stormy debates, which showed New England strongly opposed the war. During the ensuing hostilities--which were made more difficult by the noncooperation of New England [[Federalists]], who felt that Madison had foisted an unwanted war on them--Clay's appeals for patriotism and fortitude were a source of strength to the administration.

Clay in 1811 became the leader of the "[[War Hawks]]," a combination of Westerners and Southerners that included [[Felix Grundy]] of Kentucky and [[John C. Calhoun]] of South Carolina. Displaying aggressive nationalism at a time Britain and France were at war, they were outraged by Great Britain's refusal to permit American trade with France, and its impressment of American seamen into the British navy. Kentuckians resented what it considered British influence among western Indians, which turned to massacre settlers on the American frontiersmen. Clay boasted that the Kentucky militia alone could seize Montreal and Upper Canada and so settle all frontier problems. As speaker of the House, he appointed "War Hawks" to key committees and supported President [[James Madison]] demands for war (the [[War of 1812]]) with Great Britain. The House and Senate declared war in June, after stormy debates, which showed New England strongly opposed the war. During the ensuing hostilities--which were made more difficult by the noncooperation of New England [[Federalists]], who felt that Madison had foisted an unwanted war on them--Clay's appeals for patriotism and fortitude were a source of strength to the administration.

In 1814 he was at Ghent with the American delegation, which

In 1814 he was at Ghent with the American delegation, which

negotiated the [[Treaty of Ghent, signed Christmas eve 1814. His shrewd surmise that the British would accept moderate terms despite their land victories, served the United States better than did [[John Quincy Adams]]' readiness to give the British free navigation of the Mississippi River in exchange for the right of New Englanders to fish in Canadian waters.

negotiated the [[Treaty of Ghent]], signed [[Christmas eve]] 1814. His shrewd surmise that the British would accept moderate terms despite their land victories, served the United States better than did [[John Quincy Adams]]' readiness to give the British free navigation of the Mississippi River in exchange for the right of New Englanders to fish in Canadian waters.

 

===American System===

===American System===

Clay resumed the speakership of the House of Representatives

Clay resumed the speakership of the House of Representatives