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Second Party System

Definition

The Second Party System refers to the political framework in the United States from about 1828 to 1854, characterized by the dominance of two major parties: the Democrats and the Whigs.

Analogy

Think of it like a football game where there are only two teams (Democrats and Whigs) on the field. They're competing for control of the ball (political power), each with their own strategies and plays (policies and ideologies).

Related terms

Jacksonian Democracy: This is a political movement during this period that championed greater rights for common men while restricting slavery and improvements.

Whig Party: A political party active in this period that favored a strong federal government, industrialization, financial sector development, and anti-slavery stance.

Democratic Party: One of the two major parties in this system which was founded by Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren. It supported states' rights and westward expansion but was split over issues like slavery.