Whigs

The Whigs were a political group in Britain and later the United States, active mainly in the 18th and 19th centuries. Originating in Britain, they opposed absolute monarchies and supported legislative power and reform. In America, the Whig Party emerged in the 1830s, opposing the policies of President Andrew Jackson. They advocated for economic modernization, infrastructure development, and a stronger central government. Key figures included Henry Clay and Daniel Webster. The party eventually declined in the 1850s, largely due to divisions over slavery, paving the way for the formation of the Republican Party.