1. Return of the Two-Party System
The Whig Party
Return of the
Two-Party System

2. Opposition to Jackson Grows
“King Andrew I”: excessive use of power (veto, threat to use force w/SC)
Whigs: British party name; limit power of King
Only common thread: oppose Jackson’s policies

3. The Presidency of Martin Van Buren

4. The 1836 Election Results
Martin Van Buren
“Old Kinderhook” [O. K.]

5. The Presidency of Martin Van Buren
V.P. Martin Van Buren wins in 1836
Van Buren did not appeal to the common people
Panic of 1837
Blamed on the Democrats
“Van Ruin’s” Depression
“Divorce Bill”
separating the bank from the government and storing money in some of the vaults of the larger American cities,
thus keeping the money safe but also unavailable that advocated the independent treasury, and in 1840, it was passed.
Independent treasury

6. The Whig Party: How it came about?
Foundation in Federalist Party
Opposed to Andrew Jackson ( ) and Van Buren(1840)
Ran 3 Candidates in 1836
Most influential: The Great Triumvirate: H. Clay, D. Webster, JC Calhoun
Whigs’ three way race in 1836 divided supporters (Webster, Harrison, White)
Whigs unify and elect a candidate=William Henry Harrison

7. Beliefs
Democrats: Opportunity for whites, limited gov’t., strong union, promote economic growth (independent labor, farmers), reduce privilege & opposed monopoly
Supporters = southerners, westerners, small farmers and urban workers
Whigs: expand power of government, favor industry & development, cautious on west. expansion, favor banks, corporations, industry, American System, blamed crime on immigrants
Supporters = New Englanders, Mid-Atlantic, Middle-Western, Protestants, middle class urban professionals.

8. Two Parties Whigs Strong national govt.
Favored the BUS, protective tariffs, internal improvements, industry, public schools and moral reforms such as prohibition of liquor and abolition of slavery.
Best and privileged run the govt.
Democrats
Believed in state’s rights and federal restrain in economic and social affairs.
Liberty of the individual and were fiercely on guard against the inroads of privilege into the government. Pro-slavery
Protected the common man….

9. Whigs get more voters!
Whigs help Anti-Mason movement: opposed secret society of Freemasons b/c “privileged and exclusive”…use Democrats own issues against them! (Whigs are rep’s of common man!)

10. Election 1840
Bad economy & unhappy with Van Buren’s leadership: he gets blame
Whigs offer popular war hero: Wm. H. Harrison (Battle of Tippecanoe)
Image: humble background (log cabin), ordinary guy (hard cider)…NOT!!!
Parades, barbecues, buttons, hats, free cider, log cabin on wheels
78% of eligible voters (white males) turned out

11. Election of 1840 “Log Cabin and Hard Cider”
William Henry Harrison (Whig)
“Tippecanoe and Tyler too”
“Van! Van! Is a Used-up Man!
The Whigs’ Triumph

14. Election of 1840
1840 Election Prediction

15. Election 1840 (cont.) Democrats: Martin Van Buren
Whigs tag him as aristocrat, favors fine wines, “Martin Van Ruin”…NOT!!
78% vote
Whigs win 53% vote: East, West, South
Established as a national party

16. Results Harrison Died…one month in of pneumonia
John Tyler (VP) is new President-” His Accidency”
Tyler is a “fake Whig” (get it??):
Opposed national bank
Favored western expansion
Vetoed internal improvements
A Democrat in Whig clothing

17. Mid-19th Century Political Crisis
Disputes over slavery in the territories first erode, then destroy what had become America's second two-party system. The erosion began in the 1840s as various factions opposed to the post-Jackson Democratic political coalition begin to form.
Liberty Party
Run abolitionist candidate James Birney, for president in 1844.
Won only 2% of the vote but drew votes from the Whigs, especially in New York.
Free Soil Party
Not abolitionist but opposed to expansion of slavery in the territories.
Won 10% of the popular vote with Martin Van Buren as their candidate in 1848.
Lost 50% of their support in 1852 when their candidate repudiated the Compromise of 1850