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.

How did the issue of slavery affect the candidates' platforms?

What role did the Electoral College play in the election results?

What were the outcomes of the election in terms of popular and electoral votes?

What were the long-term implications of the election of 1848 for American politics?