Zachary Taylor

12th PresidentWhig

1849-1850

The Stats

Zachary Taylor, our 12th President Belonged to the Whig party (created during Andrew Jackson’s

presidency, whose policies they were vehemently opposed to; they supported the preeminence of Congress over the president, economic protectionism, like Henry Clay’s American System, and modernization/industrialization.

Served 2 years as President (premature death) Vice President: Millard Fillmore, served 4 years (2 as VP + 2 as

Prez) Secretary of State: John M. Clayton, served 2 years

Occupational History/Background Born on a farm in Virginia on November 24th, 1784. His

father owned 10,000 acres in Louisville, as well as 26 slaves by 1800.

Was a poor student, and education was sporadic (only from the occasional tutors his father assigned to him). Joined the military in 1808.

In the Mexican-American War (1845), he became “Old Rough and Ready” and “The Hero of Buena Vista”, racking up impressive victories at the Battle of Palo Alto, the Battle of Monterrey, and the Battle of Buena Vista directly against Santa Anna, inflicting 1,800 casualties. His opponent left the field of battle.

The Election of 1848 Zachary Taylor: Whig—163 (electoral)--1,360,967

(popular) Lewis Cass: Democratic--127--1,222,342 Martin Van Buren: Free Soil Party--0--291,263 Won the election primarily because of his military

prowess during the Mexican-American War. Election was primarily character-based, not issue-based, and because of this Taylor won out over Cass. Popularity contest: the issues of secession and slavery were shoved under the rug so to speak.

Yellow States voted (electorally) for Zachary Taylor; Blue States voted (electorally) for Lewis Cass

An election poster for the Taylor/Fillmore election ticket

1849: Harriet Tubman Escapes Description: utilizing the Underground Railroad (a network which aided slaves,

operated primarily by the Religious Society of Friends , or Quakers, in escaping) Tubman escapes to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a free state. She would go on aiding other slaves in escaping as well, starting with returning to Maryland and keeping her family from being broken up. Became a conductor on the U.R, rescuing some 70 slaves in 13 expeditions.

Impact: Inspired generations of African Americans to fight for equality and civil rights. An American icon second only to Betsy Ross and Paul Revere (pre-Civil War patriots). During the Civil War she joined a group of abolitionists going to South Carolina, and met up with General David Hunter (fellow abolitionist). Cared for soldiers at Port Royal, headed several military operations, and acted as a spy for the Union. Worked in later years to promote women’s suffrage with females like Susan B. Anthony. A key icon in the promotions of slave freedom, suffrage, and rights.

Source:

http://www.nyhistory.com/harriettubman/life.htm

Fall of 1849 to Winter of 1850--Nashville Convention of 1850

Description: Called by the state of Mississippi to the other slave states (met in Nashville) primarily to discuss the South’s options in relation to the President’s decision to admit California as a free state, as well as the Compromise of 1850 (which would allow the legislatures in new Western states like Texas to locally determine whether or not they were slave states). A mixture of radicals (“fire-eaters” who pushed secession) and moderates met, but the latter overruled the former, and once the Compromise was passed the issues dissolved---for a time. Only two states (Georgia and South Carolina) voted for disunion.

Impact: After the Compromise, a second, more extreme Convention met and denounced the Compromise and affirmed the right of individual states to secede from the Union. Though it didn’t have any specific national impact, disunity continued to be sown, and this was certainly a contributing factor leading to the American Civil War.

Source: http://blueandgraytrail.com/event/Nashville_Convention_of_1850

Death On July 4, 1850, after watching a groundbreaking

ceremony for the Washington Monument during the Independence Day celebration, he tried to cool himself off by eating a bowl of cherries and drinking milk. He died the next day at ten in the morning of gastroenteritis

His last words were: "I have always done my duty, I am ready to die. My only regret is for the friends I leave behind me."

Quotes

For: “With his military dexterity and skill…Zachary Taylor will surely lead our country admirably.”~(Me)

Against: “A Whig is properly what is called a Trimmer - that is, a coward to both sides of the question, who dare not be a knave nor an honest man, but is a sort of whiffing, shuffling, cunning, silly, contemptible, unmeaning negation of the two.”~William Hazlitt

Positive & Negative Contributions Positive Contribution: Had a moderate stance on

slavery, unlike many Southerners of his time: was able to balance the wants of the radicals and the abolitionists during his presidential term.

Negative Contribution: Bad foreign policy during his two years: attempted (and failed) to stop a filibustering expedition in Cuba, argued with France and Portugal over reparation issues, and was in contention with England over the building of the Nicaragua Canal.

Credits

Made by Kelsi Swenson, for the benefit of my fellow students in eliminating the horrors of Presidential Terms (hopefully).

Pictures are all from Wikipedia And…yeah. Have fun :D