Whig party

The name Whig is taken from a radical Presbyterian group called the Whigamores that were in opposition to the catholic King James II in 17th century Scotland. The American Whig Party first came into being during the presidency of Andrew Jackson when National Republicans and southern Democrats united in reaction to Jackson's increased "king like" authoritative use of the presidency.

The primary reason for the demise of the American Whig party (1829 to 1856) was the creation of the Republican party in the 1850s. The Republican party, which was formed as a reaction to the increasing migration of slavery from the south to the west, attracted both anti-slavery Democrats and Whigs. A secondary factor in the demise of the American Whig party was the creation of the radical and mostly urban "Know Nothing" party.