American economic class system chart
The American System was a program for economic development championed in the era following the War of 1812 by Henry Clay, one of the most influential members of Congress in the early 19th century.Clay's idea was that the federal government should implement protective tariffs and internal improvements and a national bank should help develop the nation's economy. The term "social class" is commonly used in American culture today but is not well-defined or well-understood. Most of us have a sense of a hierarchy in society, from low to high, based on income, wealth, power, culture, behavior, heritage and prestige.