Curated OER
The Two-Party System in American History: Ch 5
Five matching and 5 multiple choice questions to challenge your class. Their answers will test their knowledge of early American government. Party systems, Electorate, and major constituents of the time are the topics included.
Other
Georgia's Blue and Gray Trail Presents: Election of 1848
An extensive look at the election of 1848 including information about the conventions, the parties which elected candidates, the platforms, and the outcome. From the Civil War Encyclopedia.
Other
Nhi: Unrestraint Begets Calamity: "The American Whig Review," 1845 1852
Scroll through this scholarly site from the National Humanities Institute to find information about the Whigs' role in the Compromise of 1850 and the end of its political clout by the election of 1852.
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Martin Van Buren
Get the facts about the life and administraton of Martin Van Buren (1782-1862), the 8th President of the United States (1837-1841).
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: James Knox Polk:campaign and Election of 1844
The campaign and election of 1844 showed the rising difference in the nation between Whigs and Democrats and sections of the country. Showing the true development of the two-party system, it also gave rise to the term, "dark horse."
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Zachary Taylor: A Life in Brief
As part of the excellent site about Zachary Taylor and his life and presidency from the Miller Center, this article gives you a look at Taylor's life in brief, focusing on his military career, and the politics of slavery that affected...
OpenStax
Open Stax: The Nullification Crisis and the Bank War
By reading this section from a chapter on "Jacksonian Democracy," students will be able to explain the factors that contributed to the Nullification Crisis and discuss the origins and creation of the Whig Party.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: A Divided Nation
This page from the American Revolution Project of the University of Groningen discusses how the 1850s were a time of conflicting ideas between North and South regarding the expansion of slavery. Scroll down to the third paragraph and...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Whigs, Democrats and "Know Nothings"
Jackson's political opponents, united by little more than a common opposition to him, eventually coalesced into a common party called the Whigs, a British term signifying opposition to Jackson's "monarchial rule." Although they organized...
Digital History
Digital History: The Breakdown of the Party System
As the Whig Party collapsed and the new Republican Party was forming, there was a flash-in-the pan party, the Know Nothing Party, that filled the void for a few years. Read about the success of the party in electing legislation, and find...
Digital History
Digital History: The Whigs
A look at the Whig Party's formation in the 1830s as opposition to the Democratic Party. Read about their legislative plans, and the men they nominated for president over the years.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Whig Party (United States)
Wikipedia offers detailed information on the United States Whig Party. Includes info on the creation, growth and end of the Whig Party.
Texas State Library and Archives Commission
Texas State Library and Archives Commission: Hard Road to Texas 1836 1845: The Election of 1844
Read about the election of 1844 and the views of the two candidates, James Polk and Henry Clay.
The White House
The White House: Presidents: Zachary Taylor
The White House website gives a very interesting look at the too brief presidency of Zachary Taylor. Read about his solutions for the decisions of whether slavery should be allowed in U.S. territories.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Jacksonian Democracy and Modern America
An overview of the ideals of the new Democratic Party under Andrew Jackson, and later Martin Van Buren. Read about the new two-party system with the formation of the Whig Party. See how Jacksonian Democracy molded American political...
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Franklin Pierce: Campaigns and Elections
An interesting account of the political conventions which had trouble choosing a candidate, and the lack of campaigning for president in the election of 1852. From the Miller Center.
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Zachary Taylor: Campaigns and Elections
In this article from the Miller Center's site on Zachary Taylor, you can find a description of the election of 1848 and Taylor's decision to run as a Whig.
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Martin Van Buren: Campaigns and Elections
Read about the election of 1836 where Martin van Buren won the election and continued the strength of the Democratic Party.
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: John Quincy Adams
Learn about the life and career of John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), the son of a president, who also served in that office as the 6th President of the United States (1825-1829).
Alabama Humanities Foundation
Encyclopedia of Alabama: Government and Politics: Whig Party
Detailed encyclopedia entry describing the origins and successes of the Whigs and the party's impact in Alabama.
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: The American Whig Party (1834 1856)
This article presents the second part of the history of the Whig Party to find out why the issue of slavery brought about its demise.
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: The American Whig Party: Historical Background
A brief history of the American Whig Party, and changes to the government and democracy brought by Andrew Jackson's presidency.
Other
Marshfield Town History: Daniel Webster
This biography on the life of Daniel Webster discusses the various accomplishments of his career in law, his tenure as Secretary of State, and his work in politics to preserve the nation.
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Political Divisions
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart details the growing political divisions in the United States in the decade before the Civil War. It includes information on the election of 1856, the Dred Scott Decision, the Lincoln...