Because he believed America could be both an industrial and agricultural country, Clay focused his efforts on creating and broadening domestic markets for American goods to avoid acquiring low$-$cost commodities. This was known as the American System. The expansion of these local markets would not only protect America from any unpredictability abroad, but it would also encourage American independence. Independent thinking is able to rely on one's own abilities and resources rather than those of others. In basic terms, this would defend against shortages brought on by far$-$off wars.