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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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: 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...
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...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Kansas Nebraska Act
Read about the essential repeal of the Missouri Compromise, which had established which states could be slave and which would be free for thirty years, with the rancorous passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. See who supported it and why,...
Alabama Humanities Foundation
Encyclopedia of Alabama: Know Nothing Party
The Know-Nothing Party, a semi-secret political party from the mid-1800's, is explained in this report. The party lasted only a brief time, for its main purpose was to curb immigration and naturalization led by fear that the German and...
Other
Republican Party: Our History
Read the first few paragraphs of this article to find out about the formation of the Republican Party in 1854 and how it affected the political scene in the last part of the 1850s.
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."
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.
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: 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.
Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library & Museum
Rutherford B. Hayes Center: Who Is James K. Polk?
This page features an analysis of the Democratic Party's decision to nominate the relatively unknown James Polk for their presidential candidate in 1844. This article gives insight into the political atmosphere of the time.
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: The Iron Horse: Political Changes
From a lengthy essay on the history of the railroad in the United States. This section describes the dramatic political changes that took place with the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854. This led to the formation of the...
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: 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...
American Presidency Project
American Presidency Project: Election of 1840
Online resource that provides detailed data for the presidential election of 1840 won by Whig party nominee, William Henry Harrison.
American Presidency Project
American Presidency Project: Election of 1848
Online resource that provides detailed electoral data for the presidential election of 1848 won by Whig party candidate, Zachary Taylor.
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: James Monroe: Domestic Affairs
A good summary of the domestic policies of the Monroe Administration. Find out about Monroe's Cabinet, the Panic of 1819, the development of a road system, and the adoption of the Missouri Compromise.
Digital History
Digital History: Rise of Democratic Politics
Although difficult to comprehend, after the demise of the Federalists, there was essentially just one political party in the United States for about a decade. Read about the rise of the new two-party system and how the attack on...
Digital History
Digital History: The Kansas Nebraska Act
An explanation of how the Kansa-Nebraska Act in effect voided the Missouri Compromise, which had been the law that dictated the territories that could allow slavery. Read about the act proposed by Stephen A. Douglas, and see how a...