What is the Whig Party?

A Look at a short-lived 19th century political party…

Their origins…

A party made up of the leading Americans who hated Andrew Jackson

Many were formerly Democrats within Jackson’s political party

Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, John Quincy Adams

Supported Clay’s “American System”, tariffs, and federal control of banking & currency

1. William Henry Harrison

Beats Martin Van Buren’s re-election bid in the Election of 1840

Runs on campaign slogan “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too!”

Whigs publicize him as “war hero” and “a common man” (He was from wealthy aristocratic family.)

Gives Inauguration Speech on cold rainy day with no jacket…dies in 1 month.

Loser….

2. John Tyler

Ran as Harrison’s Vice President Not expected to be president, just get

Southern votes for Harrison Reversed and vetoed many Whig

economic policies, angering his own party

Nicknamed “His Accidency” The Whigs soon kicked him out of the

party

3. Zachary Taylor

“Old Rough and Ready” Won Presidency as a war hero from the

Mexican War Died 16 months into office Speculation into whether or not he was

poisoned led to a 1990’s historical study; his remains were examined but the results were inconclusive…

4. Millard Fillmore

Took over for Taylor when he died suddenly

Went easy on slavery just 7 years before the nation would split into Civil War

Seen as failure for doing nothing to stop growing conflict

Loser…

The Legacy of the Whigs…

Party grew split over slavery issue Reputation for being old, fussy, white

dudes The 4 Whig presidents are all ranked in

the top 15 worst presidents of the 42.

The Whig Party may yet return again one day……………

WHIGS FOREVA

!!!!

Knowledge Checkpoint

Would the Whigs have any success today? Why or why not?

Why do you think these presidents are generally ranked so low when comparing all presidents?