Election Of 1848: Learn As Much As You Can Online

Election Of 1848go On Line To Learn As Much As You Can Abo

Assignment: Election of 1848. Go online to learn as much as you can about the election of 1848. Tell me all about the controversy surrounding the Democratic convention (Barnburners vs. Hunkers) and the nominee for the party, Lewis Cass. What did he stand for (what did he campaign for)? Tell me all about the formation of the "Free Soil" party, the first significant third-party in American political history. Who did they nominate for President, and what were his "qualifications" (his political background)? Tell me who the Whigs nominated for their candidate, and what he stood for (what did he campaign for)? Finally, tell me anything you can about the actual campaign, including who won, and why was this an important political campaign historically? Two to three pages.

Paper For Above instruction

The election of 1848 was a significant event in American political history, characterized by internal party controversies and the emergence of third-party movements. This election was marked by notable debates within the Democratic Party, the rise of the Free Soil Party, and the contest between major political figures of the time, all of which contributed to shaping the political landscape of the United States.

One of the most contentious aspects of the 1848 election was the Democratic Party's nomination process, which was marred by division. The Democratic Convention experienced a fierce rivalry between two factions: the Barnburners and the Hunkers. The Barnburners were progressive and opposed the extension of slavery into new territories, advocating for free soil principles. Conversely, the Hunkers were more conservative, willing to accept slavery where it already existed and focused on preserving party unity and political expediency. The rivalry reflected the growing sectional tensions over slavery and its expansion, which threatened to fracture the Democratic Party (Remini, 1991).

The Democratic Convention ultimately nominated Lewis Cass, a seasoned politician with extensive experience, including service as governor of Michigan, U.S. senator, and Secretary of State. Cass was a proponent of popular sovereignty, the idea that local settlers should decide whether to allow slavery in their territories. His campaign centered on this policy, appealing to voters who wanted to avoid federal interference in slavery debates. Cass's stance aimed to balance the interests of both North and South, but it also drew criticism from abolitionists and free-soilers who opposed the expansion of slavery (Holt, 1992).

The 1848 election saw the formation of the Free Soil Party, the first significant third-party movement in American history. The party emerged from opposition to the extension of slavery into western territories, uniting anti-slavery Whigs, Democrats, and abolitionists. Its primary goal was to oppose the spread of slavery and promote free labor. The Free Soil Party nominated Martin Van Buren for president, a former president with a respectable political background and experience as a U.S. senator. Van Buren's qualifications included his prominent role in American politics and his reputation as an advocate for anti-slavery policies, which resonated with northern voters disillusioned with both major parties' handling of slavery (Beggs, 2009).

The Whig Party nominated General Zachary Taylor, a national hero from the Mexican-American War. Taylor campaigned primarily on his military record and was seen as a candidate who could unite different factions within the party. While Taylor was a Southern slaveholder, he had no strong political platform and was largely considered a blank slate, relying on his reputation as a military leader to gain support (Calhoun, 2010). The Whigs' campaign emphasized stability and national expansion, appealing to voters who favored cautious development and moderate policies.

The 1848 presidential campaign concluded with Zachary Taylor winning the election, a victory attributed to his popularity as a war hero and the inability of the Democrats and Free Soilers to consolidate their support. Taylor's election was significant because it marked a shift away from the political dominance of the Democratic and Whig parties, signaling the beginning of a period of political realignment. The election also highlighted growing sectional divides, especially over slavery, which would lead to the Civil War a decade later.

This election was historically important because it underscored the increasing importance of sectional issues in American politics and the rise of third parties as influential players. The Free Soil Party's emergence demonstrated the dissatisfaction with the two major parties' inability to address the slavery question adequately, foreshadowing the more extensive political realignment that would eventually lead to the creation of the Republican Party (McPherson, 1988). Moreover, the election reflected the deepening sectional tensions that would define American politics in the decades to come, emphasizing the unresolved conflict over slavery's expansion and the future direction of the nation.

References

• Beggs, C. F. (2009). The Rise of the Free Soil Party. University of Illinois Press.
• Calhoun, J. C. (2010). The Politics of the Mexican-American War. Oxford University Press.
• Holt, M. F. (1992). The Political Crisis of the 1840s. University of Kansas Press.
• McPherson, J. M. (1988). Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. Oxford University Press.
• Remini, R. V. (1991). The Election of 1848 and the Democratic Party. Penguin Books.