whig party
Proper noun: A major political party in the United States that existed from 1834 to the mid-1850s. It was formed in opposition to the policies of President Andrew Jackson and the Democratic Party. The Whig Party generally supported congressional supremacy over the presidency, a modernizing program including high protective tariffs to support industry, federal funding for internal improvements (like roads and canals), and a cautious approach to westward expansion.
The term "Whig Party" is used historically to refer to this specific political organization and its members, policies, and era. * The Whig Party nominated several war heroes as presidential candidates to appeal to voters. * Four U.S. Presidents were members of the Whig Party: William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor, and Millard Fillmore. * The debate over the expansion of slavery ultimately led to the collapse of the Whig Party.
- "Whig" (singular noun/adjective): A member or supporter of the Whig Party. Can also describe policies or principles associated with the party.
- Henry Clay was a prominent Whig statesman.
- The Whig economic agenda favored industrialization.
- Whiggish (adjective): Having qualities or principles reminiscent of the Whig Party, such as support for legislative power, modernization, or commercial interests.
- Anti-Jacksonian: A term describing the coalition that initially formed the Whig Party in opposition to President Andrew Jackson.
- The Whigs: A common shortened reference to the party and its members.
- British Whigs: In British history, "Whig" refers to a major political faction and later party from the 17th to 19th centuries that opposed absolute monarchy and supported constitutional government and parliamentary power. The American Whig Party borrowed the name to imply they were opposing "tyrannical" executive power (President Jackson), just as British Whigs had opposed the king.
- The American Whig Party took its name from the British Whigs.
- a former political party in the United States; formed in 1834 in opposition to the Democratic Party; advocated a loose interpretation of the Constitution and high protective tariffs