Tory vs. Whig — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 19, 2024
Tories were historically a political faction supporting the monarchy and church, while Whigs promoted parliamentary supremacy and reforms.
Difference Between Tory and Whig
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The Tory and Whig parties were two prominent political groups in British history, particularly from the 17th to the early 19th centuries. The Tories emerged as defenders of the Anglican Church and the monarchy, advocating for a strong, hereditary monarchy and a hierarchical society. They were seen as the party of the nobility and the more conservative elements of society. The Whigs, on the other hand, supported parliamentary supremacy, civil liberties, and were more inclined toward religious tolerance. They attracted support from the emerging middle class, industrialists, and those who favored reform.
These political factions represented not just different political ideologies but also different social and economic interests. Tories often represented rural interests, landowners, and the aristocracy, who favored preserving the traditional social order and hierarchy. Whigs, however, were more aligned with commercial and urban interests, pushing for policies that supported trade, commerce, and the expansion of the rights of citizens, reflecting the changing economic landscape of Britain during the Industrial Revolution.
The conflict between Tories and Whigs was fundamentally about the balance of power in the British government. While Tories supported a strong monarchial power, Whigs sought to reduce the power of the monarchy and increase the authority of Parliament. This debate over where sovereign power should reside was a central theme in British politics for many years, influencing the development of the modern British constitutional monarchy.
Over time, the original Tory and Whig parties evolved into what are now the Conservative and Liberal parties, respectively. The names Tory and Whig have fallen out of formal use but remain a significant part of the historical narrative of British politics. The evolution of these parties reflects broader changes in British society, including industrialization, the expansion of the franchise, and the shifting balance of social and economic power.
In conclusion, while both the Tory and Whig parties played pivotal roles in shaping early British political thought and government structure, their legacies continue to influence contemporary political discourse. Their differing views on monarchy, church, governance, and social order laid the groundwork for the modern political landscape in the United Kingdom.
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Comparison Chart
Ideology
Support for monarchy and the Anglican Church.
Parliamentary supremacy and reform.
Economic Interests
Rural aristocracy and landowners.
Urban middle class, industrialists.
Social Policy
Hierarchical, traditional social order.
Reformist, promoting civil liberties.
Political Preference
Strong hereditary monarchy.
Strong parliamentary authority.
Religious Policy
Anglican Church supremacy and less tolerance.
More inclined towards religious tolerance.
Compare with Definitions
Tory
Someone opposed to radical reforms.
As a Tory, she was cautious about rapid social changes.
Whig
Proponent of commercial and industrial interests.
Whigs supported policies that benefited the growing middle class.
Tory
A term used to describe the Conservative Party.
The modern Conservative Party has its roots in the Tory faction.
Whig
A member of a British political group favoring reform and parliamentary over monarchy.
The Whigs played a crucial role in the Glorious Revolution.
Tory
A member of a British political faction advocating for monarchy and the church's dominance.
The Tory party was known for its support of the Anglican Church.
Whig
Supporter of civil liberties and religious tolerance.
As a Whig, he advocated for freedom of speech and religion.
Tory
A conservative or traditionalist in politics.
He was a Tory in his political views, favoring stability and tradition over change.
Whig
Historical advocate for the power of Parliament.
The Whigs sought to limit the king's power, promoting parliamentary supremacy.
Tory
Historical supporter of the British monarchy.
The Tories opposed the Exclusion Bill to protect the monarchy.
Whig
A term associated with liberal policies.
Whig ideals have influenced the development of liberal political thought.
Tory
A Tory () is a person who holds a political philosophy known as Toryism, based on a British version of traditionalism and conservatism, which upholds the supremacy of social order as it has evolved in the English culture throughout history. The Tory ethos has been summed up with the phrase "God, Queen, and Country".
Whig
A member of an 18th- and 19th-century British political party that was opposed to the Tories.
Tory
A member of a British political party, founded in 1689, that was the opposition party to the Whigs and has been known as the Conservative Party since about 1832.
Whig
A supporter of the war against England during the American Revolution.
Tory
A member of a Conservative party, as in Canada.
Whig
A 19th-century American political party formed to oppose the Democratic Party and favoring high tariffs and a loose interpretation of the Constitution.
Tory
An American who, during the period of the American Revolution, favored the British side. Also called Loyalist.
Whig
Acidulated whey, sometimes mixed with buttermilk and sweet herbs, used as a cooling beverage.
Tory
Often tory A supporter of traditional political and social institutions against the forces of democratization or reform; a political conservative.
Whig
Buttermilk
Tory
Alternative case form of Tory
Whig
(transitive) Urge forward; drive briskly.
Tory
Alternative case form of Tory
Whig
(intransitive) Jog along; move or work briskly.
Tory
A member of the conservative party, as opposed to the progressive party which was formerly called the Whig, and is now called the Liberal, party; an earnest supporter of existing royal and ecclesiastical authority.
Whig
(transitive) Weird out or disturb someone.
Tory
One who, in the time of the Revolution, favored submitting to the claims of Great Britain against the colonies; an adherent to the crown.
Whig
Acidulated whey, sometimes mixed with buttermilk and sweet herbs, used as a cooling beverage.
Tory
Of or pertaining to the Tories.
Whig
One of a political party which grew up in England in the seventeenth century, in the reigns of Charles I. and II., when great contests existed respecting the royal prerogatives and the rights of the people. Those who supported the king in his high claims were called Tories, and the advocates of popular rights, of parliamentary power over the crown, and of toleration to Dissenters, were, after 1679, called Whigs. The terms Liberal and Radical have now generally superseded Whig in English politics. See the note under Tory.
Tory
An American who favored the British side during the American Revolution
Whig
A friend and supporter of the American Revolution; - opposed to Tory, and Royalist.
Tory
A supporter of traditional political and social institutions against the forces of reform; a political conservative
Whig
Of or pertaining to the Whigs.
Whig
Urged social reform in 19th century England
Whig
A supporter of the American Revolution
Whig
A member of the Whig Party in the United States in pre-Civil-War times
Common Curiosities
What were the core beliefs of the Tory party?
Tories believed in a strong monarchy and the Anglican Church's dominance, advocating for a traditional hierarchical social structure.
How did the political preferences of Tories and Whigs differ?
Tories favored a strong hereditary monarchy, while Whigs preferred a system where Parliament held greater power.
Did the Tories and Whigs support the same religious policies?
No, Tories were closely linked with the Anglican Church and were less tolerant of other religions, whereas Whigs were more inclined towards religious tolerance.
How did the Tory and Whig parties differ in terms of economic interests?
Tories represented rural aristocracy and landowners, while Whigs aligned with urban, commercial, and industrial interests.
Which modern political parties do the Tory and Whig parties correspond to?
The Tory party evolved into the modern Conservative Party, and the Whig party's ideals are seen in the modern Liberal Party.
What was the historical significance of the Tory and Whig conflict?
Their conflict shaped the development of the British constitutional monarchy and influenced the balance between monarchy and parliamentary power.
How did religious tolerance differ between Tories and Whigs?
Tories were generally less supportive of religious tolerance, favoring the Anglican Church, while Whigs promoted greater religious freedom.
How did the American Revolution affect Tory and Whig ideologies?
The American Revolution intensified debates between Tories and Whigs, with Whigs generally more sympathetic to the American cause and the principles of self-governance.
What role did the Tory and Whig parties play in the Glorious Revolution?
The Glorious Revolution was supported by many Whigs as a means to establish parliamentary supremacy and ensure Protestant succession, with Tories having more mixed reactions.
Were Tories and Whigs only present in British politics?
While they originated in Britain, the terms have been used to describe political factions in other countries, influenced by British political thought.
What did the Whigs stand for?
Whigs stood for parliamentary supremacy, civil liberties, religious tolerance, and supported reforms benefiting the middle class and industrialists.
How did the ideologies of Tories and Whigs reflect the social changes of their time?
Tory ideology reflected the interests of the traditional ruling classes, while Whig ideology was more in tune with the emerging industrial and middle classes' aspirations.
Did the Tory and Whig parties have official platforms?
Initially, their platforms were more loosely defined by key issues and allegiances rather than formal platforms, evolving over time with Britain's social and economic changes.
Were there any famous figures associated with the Tory and Whig parties?
Yes, figures like Sir Robert Peel and Edmund Burke were associated with the Tories, while Charles James Fox and Earl Grey were notable Whigs.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
