The Clay Republican Party was a faction of the Democratic-Republican Party that formed in the early 1820s to support Henry Clay's 1824 presidential bid.
They advocated for a more active role of the federal government in promoting economic development through internal improvements, a national bank, and protective tariffs. Their vision was rooted in American System principles, emphasizing economic modernization and national unity. Their base included merchants, industrialists, and those in the Northeast and Midwest who favored economic growth and internal improvements. They appealed to voters who believed in a proactive government role in fostering economic development. They were strongest in the Northeast and parts of the Midwest, where industrial interests and infrastructure projects were more prevalent. They promoted the American System, which included federal funding for roads, canals, and other infrastructure; tariffs to protect American manufacturing from foreign competition; and support for a central bank to stabilize and regulate the economy.
The Adams Republican Party shared similar views on economic modernization and government intervention but were often seen as more elitist and focused on intellectual leadership. The Clay Republicans were more populist in their approach, appealing to a broader base that included emerging industrial interests and advocating for government action to promote economic growth through infrastructure investment. The factions began to unite more closely after the contentious 1824 election, where the split led to a complex outcome. Andrew Jackson won the popular vote, but no candidate secured a majority in the Electoral College, leading to a decision by the House of Representatives, which elected John Quincy Adams. This event, often referred to as the "Corrupt Bargain," exacerbated tensions and further delineated the factions. In 1825, as the factions sought to consolidate their power against the rising Jacksonian Democrats, the Clay and Adams factions began to formally unite. By 1828, they had effectively merged to form the National Republican Party, which advocated for many of the policies associated with the American System.