The Whigs favored the financial sector. They were Hamiltonian's.
MANY Locofoco Democrats joined the GOP, because they hated the slave power.
And the foundation of Jacksonianism was UNION."
Well, first, I agree that Andrew Jackson was an anomaly -- a Democrat who Put Americans First and wanted to Make America Great!
Jackson supported the 1828 Tariff of Abominations so he could pay off the national debt, and threatened South Carolina with military action should it try to succeed.
What a guy!
However, even as early as 1832 when Jackson replaced VP John C. Calhoun from South Carolina with Martin Van Buren from New York City, Democrats were firmly, 100% allied, North and South -- Northern Big City financial & commercial interests plus corrupt immigrant political bosses (i.e., Tammany Hall), allied to Southern Big Business slaveholders.
- "The Whig base of support was centered among entrepreneurs, professionals, planters, social reformers, devout Protestants, and the emerging urban middle class.
It had much less backing from poor farmers and unskilled workers."
Before 1860, Chicago elected Democrats twice as often as Republicans, and elected Democrat mayors in 1858 and 1862.
Philadelphia more often voted Republican, but elected Democrat mayors in 1856 and 1868.
Compare to New Orleans which before 1860 had nine Democrat Mayors, three Whigs and four of other parties.
