The Whigs were a political party in the United States that emerged in the 1830s as a response to the policies of President Andrew Jackson. They supported a strong legislative branch and favored modernization, economic protectionism, and infrastructure development. The party attracted a diverse coalition, including former Federalists and anti-Jacksonian Democrats. The Whig Party played a significant role in American politics during the mid-19th century, producing two presidents: William Henry Harrison and Zachary Taylor. However, internal divisions over issues like slavery led to its decline, and by the late 1850s, the party had largely disbanded, paving the way for the rise of the Republican Party.