Mark Henderson answered
Beginning in the late 1820s, the emergence of the two party system had a wide ranging impact on the United State's political climate.
The two major parties at the time were the Democratic Party led by Andrew Jackson, and the Whig Party headed by Henry Clay.
The system would lead to a confrontational and divided political system which would become a leading cause for the onset of the American Civil War.
What was the Two Party System?
The two major parties at the time were the Democratic Party led by Andrew Jackson, and the Whig Party headed by Henry Clay.
The system would lead to a confrontational and divided political system which would become a leading cause for the onset of the American Civil War.
What was the Two Party System?
- The system was formed due to political leaders needing support from allies to win the presidency - which led to nationwide political coalitions (Parties).
- Starting in the late 1820s, the system took about 15 years to develop and spread across the country.
- For the first time in the United State's history, two parties were equal and appeared in every state, contesting every electoral vote and state office.
- It emerged as the political opponents of Andrew Jackson and his Democratic Party sought a method to bring about the President's downfall.
- Crucially, the balance between two political parties meant that each state was vulnerable to divisive regional issues, such as slavery.
- Politics became increasingly polarised.
- National issues were hugely divisive.
- The Civil War (which broke out in 1861) was a direct result of a divisive issue such as slavery consuming the entire nation due to the political system.
- The system did not allow for a "third way", which limited the ability to compromise politically with opponents.