The Election of 1848 Explained

The video discusses the 1848 U.S. presidential election, highlighting the key candidates and their parties: the Whigs with Zachary Taylor, the Democrats with Lewis Cass, and the Free Soil Party with Martin Van Buren. The election was marked by the contentious issue of slavery, with each party attempting to navigate it strategically. Taylor, a Southern slave owner, was chosen by the Northern Whigs, while the Democrats, primarily Southern, ran a Northern candidate. Van Buren's Free Soil Party aimed to prevent slavery's expansion, ultimately splitting the Northern vote and aiding Taylor's victory. The election set the stage for future political shifts, including the rise of the Republican Party.

What was the main issue in the election of 1848?

• Foreign relations

• Economic policies

• Slavery

• Education reform

Who was the Whig Party's candidate in the 1848 election?

• Zachary Taylor

• James K. Polk

• Martin Van Buren

• Lewis Cass

What was unusual about Zachary Taylor's candidacy for the Whig Party?

• He had no political experience

• He was a Northern abolitionist

• He was a former president

• He was a strong advocate for the National Bank

Which concept did Lewis Cass and many Democrats support during the election?

• High protective tariffs

• Abolition of slavery

• Federal infrastructure spending

• Popular sovereignty

Why was Martin Van Buren's candidacy significant in the 1848 election?

• He was the first candidate from the Republican Party

• He was the incumbent president

• He split the vote in the North

• He won the majority of Southern states

What was the main goal of the Free Soil Party?

• To prevent the expansion of slavery

• To promote high tariffs

• To support the National Bank

• To expand slavery

Which state played a crucial role in the outcome of the 1848 election?

• Ohio

• New York

• Texas

• California

How many electoral votes did Zachary Taylor win in the 1848 election?

• 127

• 42

• 163

• 36

What was the outcome for Martin Van Buren in the 1848 election?

• He did not win any electoral votes

• He became president

• He was elected vice president

• He won the popular vote

What significant event occurred during Zachary Taylor's presidency?

• He expanded the National Bank

• He died in office

• He successfully resolved the issue of slavery

• He was impeached