Whigs and Democrats
The Bank War also hardened a coalition of anti-Jackson groups into a new political party. Calling themselves Whigs, the new party included the National Republicans of the Adams era, along with fiscal conservatives who supported the B.U.S., native-born Americans who opposed immigration, and states' rights advocates who broke with the administration over nullification. United in their opposition to "King Andrew I," the Whigs developed an effective party organization to rival the Democrats. As with the Federalists and Democratic Republicans four decades earlier, the two political parties divided over several issues. Though both parties contained contradictory elements, they generally favored the following:
Whigs |
Democrats |
|---|---|
| strong central government | limited government and states' rights |
| favored government involvement in the economy—supported the tariff and internal improvements | no government intrusion in the economy –anti-tariff |
| need a central Bank to extend credit and a stable currency | opposed the Bank and favored hard currency |
| broad interpretation of the Constitution | narrow interpretation of the Constitution |
| anti-Catholic—favored legislation promoting Yankee Protestant values | welcomed Irish and German immigrants, including Catholics |
| supported by capitalist, commercial, and manufacturing interests, as well as some workers | supported by small farmers and workers, as well as commercial and manufacturing interests opposed to protection and centralizing policies |
| strong in New England | strong in the South and West |
Whigs and Democrats
Suppose you were living in America in the 1830s. Which political party would you support? Draw a political cartoon or prepare a broadside (view the Printed Ephemera: Introduction for a definition and examples) that favors either the Whigs or the Democrats. Your work should address one or more of the issues of Jackson's presidency.
Please post your response to the Discussion: Whigs and Democrats link in the M3 Tasks Folder.
