Whigs And Jacksonian Democrats
Explanation on The Opposing Parties
These two parties opposed each other throughout their periods of power in the United States government. This rivalry between parties was important because it started the Second Party System that we have in America today. The Democrats were in favor of states' rights and did not like the Federal Government involvement in social and economic affairs while The Whigs favored a strong federal government through the power of the congress. Jackson and his Democrats worked hard to get rid of the Protective tariff and the National Bank of the United States while the Whigs supported both. A large difference in the policies was determined by those whom the Political Parties favored. The Jacksonian's represented the common man, a lower class person who made his living off the land. The Jacksonian Democrats also promoted the idea that anyone could hold a government position which glorified the individual and its mind. The Whigs were made up of industrialists and nationalists and shaped their policies to benefit those people. These included a tariff which assists manufacturing and big business while it hurts the smaller individuals like farmers who would be forced to pay more for their needs. Though they did favor the big businessmen, they attempted to help the economy and social productivity of the United States through their introduction of internal transportation, public schools, and other improvements like roadways and canal structures which would assist both the wealthy and the poor. The last opposing factor between these two Parties involve the idea of expansion. The Democrats wished to expand fast as it would provide more farming land and potentially more profit, while the Whigs thought expanding was unnecessary. The conflict in these parties occurred due to the differences in who the party supported.
What were the domestic goals of the Whigs?
The Whigs supported the supremacy of Congress over the presidency and favored a program of modernization and economic protectionism. Democratic Republicans created the American System which created tariffs to protect industry, a national bank to foster commerce, and federal subsidies for internal improvements such as railroads and canals.
The party was named in remembrance of a group in opposition to tyranny. It was destroyed over slavery issues as party members were both for and against slavery.
Contributing Whig Figures
Henry Clay
John Tyler
Millard Fillmore
James Taylor
What were the domestic goals of the Jacksonian Democrats?
The Jacksonian Democrats were worried that the economic modern market manipulation would lead to a rise in aristocrats. They believed in the common man which consisted of average wealth and occupation which was usually farming. They believed that the government should help these common folk to keep them driving the American economy and culture.
Jacksonian Democrats expanded suffrage for white males in order to gain votes. Another way to gain power in Congress was the use of Patronage which was a policy of placing political supporters in office.
Contributing Jacksonian Democrat Figures
Andrew Jackson
Martin Van Buren
John Tyler
Answer to #3
Answer (a) is correct. Even though the Whigs wished for expansion they wanted it to happen gradually and not immediately and rapidly like the Jacksonian Democrats did.