Final answer:
The Democrat and Whig parties represented diverging visions during Andrew Jackson's presidency, with the former supporting states' rights and the latter promoting strong central government. Their rivalry defined the second party system until the contentious issue of slavery led to the dissolution of the Whigs in the early 1850s.
Step-by-step explanation:
Jacksonian Democrats vs. Whigs
The political landscape of the United States during Andrew Jackson's presidency saw the emergence of a new party system. The Democrat Party formed to support Jackson's 1828 presidential bid, advocating for the common people, states' rights, and western expansion, while opposing a national bank. In contrast, the Whig Party emerged in 1834 to challenge Jacksonian policies, promoting economic development and a stronger central government role, which they believed was essential for the nation's growth.
The tension between these two parties came to a head in the elections following 1836, with Martin Van Buren continuing the Democrat legacy after Jackson. However, the economic downturn known as the Panic of 1837 significantly dampened the Democrats' momentum, leading to a Whig victory in 1840. Yet, the Whig success was short-lived as internal conflicts and the divisive issue of slavery began to unravel the party.
By the early 1850s, the debate on slavery and its westward expansion became the critical issue that eventually led to the dissolution of the Whigs and the second party system. The era was marked by intense political rivalries and debates that helped to shape future American political dynamics and ideologies, leading to the eventual rise of new political alignments.