When America was founded in 1776, political factions were much less partisan than they are today. They more closely represented the conservative and liberal sides of the political spectrum. Men ran for political office waving their beliefs as their flag, not the party they belonged to. Unfortunately, this method did not last long. By the late 1820s, a strong party system had developed. However, there remained one group opposed to the party system, the Whig Party. Her story shaped the ideals she held dear. Unfortunately, the short lifespan of the Whig Party forever affected the national political debate. The interesting history and tragic demise of the Whig Party is important to understanding the political system of the United States. The history of the political party system is essential to understanding the Whig Party. Martin Van Buren was the machine behind the partisan political system. Its new structure relied heavily on the “winner takes all” ideal; the winner obtaining the right to replace the members of the current government (Allen, p. 199). This allowed the president to surround himself with supporters, both within the cabinet and the bureaucracy, who agreed with his ideas for government. Van Buren believed he could avoid a civil war over slavery by buying voter support with government jobs and appointments (Allen, p. 199). As this ideal of government patronage grew, so did centralized government. The party formed under his watchful eye became known as the Democratic Party. At the end of Jackson's presidency, his vice president, Van Buren, was named the party's successor. Van Buren's campaign, under the auspices of the Democratic Party, supported the growth of expanded government. With a middle of paper ......ns of government, then destroying the very engines that elevated them to unjust domination. George Washington believed that a party system would divide our country and our government. His prediction was true. The death of the Whig Party ushered in an era marked by the two-party voting system in the United States, forever changing its course. Works Cited Kruman, Marc W. "The American Second Party System and the Transformation of Revolutionary Republicanism." Journal of the First Republic 4.12 (1992): 509-537. JSTOR. Internet. December 6, 2011. Washington, George. “George Washington Quotes.” Notable Quotes. Np, September 17, 1796. Internet. December 15, 2011. washington_george.html>. Schweikart, Larry and Michael Allen. The story of an American patriot.Np: Sentinel, 2007. Print.