John Tyler was a Democrat who became a Whig out of dislike for President Andrew Jackson. Tyler switched parties while he was a U.S. senator from Virginia. The Whig Party developed out of opposition to Jackson's policies, including his bank policy.

In an effort to break up the Second Bank of the United States, Jackson in 1833 made federal deposits in a number of state banks. Tyler was also opposed to the U.S. Bank, but he perceived this as a terrible abuse of executive power and a violation of states' rights. He condemned Jackson on the Senate floor. Henry Clay followed by urging the Senate to censure (to blame, on record) Jackson for his actions.