The term "Whig" originally referred to a political faction in England during the late 17th century. The Whigs supported constitutional monarchy and the supremacy of Parliament over the monarchy. They were often in opposition to the Tories, who favored royal authority. The Whig Party played a significant role in shaping British politics, advocating for reforms and civil liberties. In the United States, the Whig Party emerged in the 1830s as a response to the policies of President Andrew Jackson. The party attracted various groups, including former National Republicans and anti-Jacksonian Democrats. The Whigs promoted economic modernization and infrastructure development but eventually dissolved in the 1850s due to internal divisions over slavery.