👩🏾‍⚖️ap us government review

Whig Party

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2027 exam
Verified for the 2027 examWritten by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025

Definition

A political coalition in the 1830s–1850s that opposed what it saw as executive overreach during Andrew Jackson’s presidency and promoted congressional supremacy, a national bank, protective tariffs, and federal funding for internal improvements to encourage economic modernization. Its collapse over sectional disputes about slavery reshaped the party system and contributed to the emergence of the modern Republican Party.

AP course connection

Topic 5.3: 5.3 Political Parties

Unit 5