Nationalist Henry Clay retained his power in the postwar Congress, and headed the drive for a neo-federalist program of protective tariffs, international improvements, and a national bank. He called his program the American System, arguing that it would foster notional economic growth and a salutary interdependence between geographical sections, thus a happy and healthy republic. Some of the opponents were as follows: With no discussions Congress chartered the Bank of the United States as the sole banking institution empowered to do business throughout the country. Notes issued by the Bank would