Question

Why did Northern politicians support higher tariffs?

Answer 1

Answer:

Northerners supported tariffs – taxes on imported and exported goods – because tariffs helped them compete with British factories. Northerners also opposed the federal government's sale of public land at cheap prices. Cheap land encouraged potential laborers to move from northern factory towns to the West.

Answer 2

They supported higher tariffs to protect their industries from competition.

• Tariffs on imported and exported goods were favoured by Northerners because tariffs allowed them to compete with British companies.
• They also criticised the federal government's low-cost selling of public land.
• Potential labourers were enticed to relocate from northern manufacturing centres to the West by the low cost of land. Smugglers in the South would be obliged to deal in a fair and legal manner.
• Northern farmers would be permitted to freely trade in international markets. Less international competition would then assist these firms.