The Whig Party was a political party in the United States active during the mid-19th century. Founded in 1833, it emerged in opposition to the policies of President Andrew Jackson and the Democratic Party. The Whigs supported a strong legislative branch, economic modernization, and infrastructure development. The party attracted a diverse coalition, including former Federalists, anti-slavery advocates, and supporters of the American System. Key figures included Henry Clay and Daniel Webster. However, the Whig Party struggled with internal divisions, particularly over the issue of slavery, leading to its decline and eventual dissolution in the 1850s.