15 Questions
Why did the Whig Party oppose Andrew Jackson's presidency?
They believed he abused his powers under the Constitution.
What was one of the core values of the Whig Party?
Support for high protective tariffs
How did Andrew Jackson differ from previous Presidents regarding the veto power?
He used it more frequently, asserting his authority.
What was a significant reason behind the formation of the Whig Party?
Opposition to Andrew Jackson's policies
How did Jackson's support for the spoils system impact American politics?
It increased political participation.
What event directly led to the Whig Party's first presidential election victory in 1840?
Andrew Jackson's dismantlement of the Second National Bank
Which of the following statements about the Whig Party is true?
It split due to internal divisions over the issue of slavery
Which event directly contributed to the final divide of the Whig Party?
The passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854
In which year did the Whig Party present multiple presidential candidates?
1836
What was the outcome of the 1848 presidential election for the Whig Party?
They won the election with Zachary Taylor as their candidate
What was the main reason the Whig Party was formed?
To oppose Andrew Jackson and his perceived abuse of power
Which of the following individuals was NOT a founder of the Whig Party?
Abraham Lincoln
What was the political situation in the United States prior to the formation of the Whig Party?
There was only one major political party: the Democratic-Republicans.
What was the reason behind the split in the Democratic-Republican Party in 1824?
Disagreement between Andrew Jackson and John Quincy Adams
What was the origin of the name "Whig" for the political party?
It was a reference to the Whig Party in England
Study Notes
Formation of the Whig Party
- The Whig Party was formed in 1834 as a response to Andrew Jackson's presidency and the Democratic-Republican Party split.
- The party was founded by Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, William Seward, Thaddeus Stevens, and Horace Greeley.
- The name "Whig" originated from the Scottish word "whiggamore," meaning opposition to the English monarchy, symbolizing the party's anti-monarchist stance against Jackson's perceived authoritarianism.
Beliefs and Values
- The Whig Party opposed Andrew Jackson's presidency, viewing him as a monarch rather than a President.
- The Whigs believed in a strong central bank, protective tariffs, and American agriculture.
- They supported the Second National Bank, which Jackson opposed, believing it aided the wealthy and not the common man.
Key Events and Elections
- The 1828 election saw a split in the Democratic-Republican Party, with the National Republicans supporting John Quincy Adams and the Democrats supporting Andrew Jackson.
- The Whig Party's first presidential election was in 1836, with Martin Van Buren running against three Whig candidates.
- The Whigs won the 1840 election with William Henry Harrison, who died after 31 days in office, and John Tyler took over as President.
- The party won again in 1848 with Zachary Taylor.
Decline and Legacy
- The Whig Party's decline began with the growing division over slavery, leading to a split within the party.
- The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, which supported popular sovereignty on slavery, further divided the party.
- Many anti-slavery Whigs formed the Republican Party in 1854, marking the end of the Whig Party.
Test your knowledge on the history of the Whig Party, a political party in the United States from 1834 to 1854. Learn about its development by Henry Clay and anti-Jacksonian Democrats, the origin of its name, and its opposition to the English monarchy.
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