Whigs (National Republics) summary.
The Whigs, also known as the National Republics, were a political party in the United States during the mid-19th century. They emerged in the 1830s as opposition to the policies of President Andrew Jackson and his Democratic Party. The Whigs were a diverse coalition, encompassing both Northern industrialists and Southern plantation owners, and they advocated for a stronger federal government, internal improvements, and a protective tariff.
The party's name, Whig, originated from the British political faction that had opposed the monarch's excessive power in the 17th and 18th centuries. The American Whigs saw themselves as defenders of constitutional liberties and opponents of executive overreach. They criticized Jackson for his use of the veto power and his assertion of presidential authority, which they considered to be in violation of the balance of powers.
Economically, the Whigs favored a program of economic development through government intervention. They supported the creation of a national bank to stabilize the currency and regulate credit, as well as the implementation of protective tariffs to support American industries. They also supported internal improvements such as canals, roads, and railroads to foster economic growth and strengthen national unity.
Socially, the Whigs were divided on issues such as slavery and temperance. The party included both pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions, as well as those who had differing views on the prohibition of alcohol. These internal divisions on key social issues would eventually contribute to the party's decline.
The Whigs were successful in electing two presidents: William Henry Harrison in 1840 and Zachary Taylor in 1848. However, both died in office, and the party struggled to maintain its unity and coherence. The contentious issue of slavery became increasingly prominent in American politics, leading to the formation of the Republican Party in the 1850s, which largely absorbed the Whig Party's anti-slavery wing.
By the late 1850s, the Whig Party had disintegrated, unable to effectively address the growing sectional tensions that would ultimately lead to the American Civil War. While short-lived in its impact, the Whig Party played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of its time, representing a wide array of interests and advocating for a more active role of the federal government in economic development.