The Grudge Between the Whigs and the Jacksonians

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Since the founding of the nation, opposing opinions have slowed the decisions of the United States government. The two party system would eventually come to dominate the political world of Congress and had fully come of age by 1840 after both originating out of the Democratic - Republican Party of the early 1800’s. During the 1830’s and the 1840’s, the rivalling parties of the Whigs and the Jacksonian democrats would create a grudge match within the government. Matters regarding the political issues of the extension of western boundaries and the power the government held as well as the economic issues regarding the bank and tariffs would strengthen the rivalry between the two parties.

The political policies of the parties was the initial divide between the two. Issues regarding the strength of the government, how the constitution should be read, and the expansion west along with others were heavily debated. The Jacksonian democrats emphasized a stronger executive branch and installed government officials to do so. Andrew Jackson’s, “spoils system,” was used to reward political allies throughout the campaign. Jackson would appoint those who were underqualified and incompetent in order to put loyal followers in office as a rewards system. The question was no longer what the officials could do for the country, but how they could help the party. The “spoils system” would provide Jackson with almost total power to do what he willed. Jackson’s veto of the re-charter bill of the Bank of the United States in 1832 would also increase presidential power, showing that Jackson could personally decide whether or not a bill was unconstitutional. Expansion westward would be a dilemma as well. The idea “manifest destiny” in the 1840’s would...

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... for the cotton they imported from the South. This resulted in an unhappy South with growing beliefs of discrimination. The compromise Tariff of 1833, proposed by Jacksonian rival and Whig, Henry Clay, stated that imported taxes would gradually decrease until they reached the original level of 1816 of 20% by 1842 from the original 68% passed by Adams. The use of tariffs would coincide with the economic beliefs of the parties.

The Whigs and the Jacksonian democrats created a grudge match amongst Congress through the 1830’s and 1840’s. Political issues regarding territorial expansion and the power the government, as well as the economic issues regarding the national bank along with tariffs would strengthen the rivalry between the two parties. The opposing opinions over tariffs and the party’s objective to embarrass the other led to a less productive government.

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