#Whig October 28

We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post.

Curiosity led me to research some of the early Governors of North Carolina who were members of the WHIG Party.

In the 1830’s there were many people upset with the policies of President Andrew Jackson. Most of these people were siding with the ideas and proposals from Henry Clay. Clay wanted to make investments in roads, river navigation, railroads, and canals.

Early Governors of North Carolina

Governors in North Carolina were elected to one-year terms by the state legislature from 1776 to 1837. In 1837 until today Governors served 4-year terms.

The first four Governors that got elected to serve 4-year terms were all members of the WHIG Party.

Origin of the name WHIG

President Andrew Jackson’s opponents called him “King Andrew” and began to call themselves “Whigs,” taking the name of the opposition party in Britain.

The Whigs actually began losing their hold on North Carolina in the late 1840s. The policies and platforms of the party did not appeal to an agrarian state like North Carolina.

In the 1850’s the party splintered with many moving over to the new Republican Party.