The Affects of the Whig Party's Demise

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When America was founded in 1776, political factions were far less distinctively partisan than they are today. They more closely represented conservative and liberal sides of the political spectrum. Men ran for political office, holding their beliefs as their flag, not the party they belonged to. Unfortunately, this method did not last long. By the late 1820s, a strong party system had developed. However, there was still one group opposed to the party system, the Whig Party. Its history shaped the ideals it valued. Regrettably, the Whig Party’s short lifespan affected the national political conversation forever. The Whig Party’s interesting history and tragic demise are important to understanding the political system of the United States.

The history of the political party system is vital to understanding the Whig party. Martin Van Buren was the machinery behind the partisan political system. His new structure relied heavily on the “winner takes all” ideal; with the victor gaining the right to replace members of the current government, (Allen, pg. 199). This allowed the president to surround himself with supporters, both in the cabinet and bureaucracy, who agreed with his ideas of government. Van Buren believed that he could avoid a civil war over slavery by purchasing voters’ support with government jobs and appointments, (Allen, pg. 199). As this ideal of government patronage grew, so did the centralized government. The party formed under his watchful eye became known as the Democratic Party. At the end of Jackson’s presidency, his vice-president, Van Buren, was named the successor for the party. Van Buren’s campaign, under the auspices of the Democratic Party, supported the growth of large government. With t...

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...ns of government, destroying afterwards the very engines which have lifted them to unjust dominion.” George Washington believed a party system would pull apart our country and our government. His prognosis was true. The death of the Whig Party marked the beginning of an era marked by the two-party voting system in the United States, changing its course forever.

Works Cited

Kruman, Marc W. "The Second American Party System and the Transformation of

Revolutionary Republicanism." Journal of the Early Republic 4.12 (1992):

509-537. JSTOR. Web. 6 Dec. 2011.

Washington, George. "George Washington Quotes." Notable Quotes. N.p., 17 Sept.

1796. Web. 15 Dec. 2011. washington_george.html>. Schweikart, Larry, and Michael Allen. A Patriot's History of the United States.

N.p.: Sentinel, 2007. Print.

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