Election of 1840 Martin Van Buren v. William Henry Harrison
Traditionally, the election of 1840 has been presented as an issueless election which the Whigs won by imitating successful Democratic tactics of mass political appeal—sloganeering, parades, aggressive organizing, rallies, campaign newspapers, and pamphlets. The Whig candidate was a military hero (like Andrew Jackson) who lacked a record on controversial political topics. While ignoring the issues and conducting a campaign of bogus symbols and distractions, Whigs smeared Democratic president Martin Van Buren as an effete and immoral Eastern sophisticate who had turned the White House into a salon for illicit pleasures.
Background • • • Clay expected his party’s nomination, but other forces in the party believed that he had too many enemies The Whigs drafted a popular military figure, Harrison. While portrayed as a rustic frontiersman, Harrison actually came from Virginia elite. Harrison had served terms in the US House and Senate, and had run against Van Buren in 1836 but lost
Image Making • • • While Harrison had been the commander in the battle of Tippecanoe in 1811, he had actually been criticized for his actions at the time. The Shawnee warriors had surprised his troops, and casualties had been high A Democratic editor had suggested that given Harrison’s advanced age (almost 70), he would be best to “give him a barrel of hard cider” and “let him “sit out the remainder of his days in his log cabin” This attempt to humiliate Harrison backfired as the Whigs seized on the twin figures of hard cider and log cabins as the symbols of their campaign. • • Harrison’s public persona went from a well educated son of a wealthy planter to that of a simple farmer born into a log cabin on the western frontier who enjoyed a glass of hard cider like all common folk The former general was "Old Tippecanoe" and the ticket was "Tippecanoe and Tyler too, " an alliteration that stuck in the national consciousness. Harrison was no commoner, but his image was in painful contrast to Van Buren’s public image of insouciant dandy in the midst of a depression. Democrats tried to counter this unfavorable portrayal by calling Van Buren "Old Kinderhook, " a reference to his New York birthplace.
Campaign music Model log cabin hoisted on a pole and carried in parades by supporters of William Henry Harrison during his 1840 presidential campaign. Pitcher from Whig party 1840 campaign The Whig Party's 1840 log-cabin campaign for William Henry Harrison brought popular electioneering to the masses. Among its many innovations was the sale of goods to loyal backers, such as this pitcher with campaign imagery. COME listen my trusty old cronies I'll sing you a short verse or two, And I know you will not be offended, Should I sing of Old Tippecanoe. His enemies call him a coward, And sneer at his poverty too, But a true-hearted Jackson-man never, Will slander the brave and the true. But a true hearted democrat ever, Will honor the brave and the true, And leave it to British and tories, To slander Old Tippecanoe. And who pray is Martin Van Buren, What wonders did he ever do? Was he in the battle of Orleans, Meigs, Thames or Old Tippecanoe? O! no, he had no taste for fighting, Such rough work he never could do, He skirked it off on to brave Jackson, And the Hero of Tippecanoe. This larkey we once have elected, Not that any good he would do, But because he had been recommended By Jackson the brave and the true. And since for one term we're in favour, We think that this honor should do, So, good bye to you, Mr. Van Buren, -Here goes for Old Tippecanoe.
This campaign ribbon was created for the presidential election of 1840. It is made of white silk and decorated with images of candidate William Henry Harrison and a log cabin. This papier-mâché snuffbox is an example of the plethora of campaign paraphernalia that was created for William Henry Harrison's successful campaign for the presidency in 1840. Harrison's image is painted on the top of the box, while the bottom shows a scene from the Battle of Tippecanoe.
This campaign banner was made for the presidential election of 1840 in support of William Henry Harrison. It is made of linen and bears the slogan "Tip & Ty, " referring to Harrison's victory at the battle of Tippecanoe and John Tyler, his vicepresidential running mate.
The badges feature log cabins, cider barrels, and slogans. The citizens of Ross County were enthusiastic supporters of Harrison. They formed a Tippecanoe club and celebrated their candidate with parades and log cabin raisings. .
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