1848 Presidential Election

The 1848 U.S. presidential election was held during a time of expansion and division over issues like slavery and territorial growth. Democrat Lewis Cass ran promising "popular sovereignty," allowing territories to decide on slavery. Whig Zachary Taylor, a war hero, appealed nationally and won the election. The election highlighted tensions between North and South over slavery policies, which were not explicitly addressed in the platform. Taylor's victory reflected a shift towards candidates with military and practical credentials, and the election set the stage for future conflicts over slavery and expansion in America.