Part 4/13:
Hamilton's vision of the American System prioritized creating a broad industrial ecosystem—protective tariffs, internal development, and fostering specialization among suppliers. McKinley's protectionist policies during the Second Industrial Revolution catalyzed America's emergence as an industrial superpower, enabling the nation to dominate in World Wars and global markets.
This historical paradigm involved not merely tariffs but cultivating an entire infrastructure—automobiles, aviation, manufacturing techniques, energy infrastructure—that built the foundation for modern prosperity. Modern policymakers echo this: the question remains whether to pursue protectionism to develop emerging industries or to embrace free trade once those industries mature.