When America was founded in 1776, political factions were far less partisan than they are today. They more closely represented the conservative and liberal sides of the political spectrum. Men ran for political office, holding their beliefs as their banner, 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 was still one group opposed to the party system, the Whig Party. His story shaped the ideals he held dear. Unfortunately, the short life of the Whig Party forever influenced the national political debate. The interesting history and tragic end of the Whig party are important for understanding the political system of the United States. The history of the political party system is vital to understanding the Whig party. Martin Van Buren was the machine behind the partisan political system. His new structure relied heavily on the winner-takes-all ideal; with the winner gaining the right to replace members of the current government, (Allen, p. 199). This allowed the president to surround himself with supporters, both in the government and in the bureaucracy, who agreed with his governing ideas. Van Buren believed he could avoid a civil war over slavery by buying voter support with jobs and government 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 big government. With t…… middle of paper……n of government, then destroying the very engines that elevated them to an unjust dominion”. George Washington believed that a party system would destroy our country and our government. His prognosis was true. The death of the Whig Party marked the beginning of an era marked by the two-party voting system in the United States, changing its course forever. Works Cited Kruman, Marc W. “America's Second Party System and the Transformation of Revolutionary Republicanism.” Journal of the Early Republic 4.12 (1992):509-537. JSTOR. Network. December 6, 2011. Washington, George. "George Washington Quotes." Notable quotes. Np, 17 September 1796. Network. 15 December 2011. washington_george.html>. Schweikart, Larry and Michael Allen. The story of a United States patriot. Np: Sentinel, 2007. Print.