The Presidency in the 1840 s 1841 -1849

The Presidency in the 1840 s (1841 -1849) Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

# 9 William Henry Harrison (1841) n n n “Old Tippecanoe” hounded by Whig spoilsmen Sec. State Webster & Sen. Clay expected to control the government died of pneumonia four weeks into office

# 10 John Tyler (1841 -45) n n n a Virginia gentleman of the old school stubbornly attached to principle over politics a Jeffersonian states’ righter on the ticket to appeal to Southerners asserted the powers of the presidency, cementing the VP in order of succession a converted Democrat at odds with Clay & the Whigs

Tyler – a president without a party n n n vetoed Clay’s new “Fiscal Bank” and later “Fiscal Corporation” vetoed Whig Tariff before signing a new one at 1832 levels (1842) burned in effigy and called “His Accidency” formally expelled from Whig party and threatened with impeachment entire cabinet (except Webster) resigned

Election of 1844 Henry Clay (Whig) n n Election of 1844, artist unknown A team of Polk supporters offers a campaign handbill to the seated voter. Passions were so high and party organization was so extensive that door-to-door politicking became the norm. (Courtesy of Nathan Liverant and Son) charged Polk as being a slaveowner and Clay as carrying the banner of liberty Clay proposed annexation of Texas to southerners but promoted delay to Northerners James K. Polk (Democrat) n n 4 -year Speakers of the House and former TN governor condemned Clay the “corrupt bargainer” Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Polk and Dallas Flag This campaign banner celebrating the candidacy of James K. Polk and George M. Dallas on the Democratic ticket carries a subtle message conveying the party's platform. Surrounding Polk's picture are twenty-five stars, one for each state in the Union. Outside the corner box, a twenty-sixth star stands for Texas, which Polk promised to annex. (Collection of David J. and Janet L. Frent) Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

#11 James K. Polk (1845 -49) n n n James K. Polk by George Peter Alexander Healy, 1846 (James K. Polk Memorial Association, Columbia, Tennessee) Copyright © Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. lowered Tariff of 1842 from 35% to 25% over complaints of Whigs won the Oregon Territory from the British at the 49 th parallel Mexican War wins territory that will become states of UT, NV, CO, CA, NM, & AZ