The Election of 1844 - APUSH Review

The Election of 1844

Background Information

  • John Tyler, a Whig in name but Democrat by ideology, faced significant opposition from within his own party and did not secure their nomination for re-election. His presidency was marked by disagreements with the Whig leadership, particularly Henry Clay, which hindered his ability to unify the party.

  • The concept of "Manifest Destiny" was gaining prominence in the nation, fueled by expansionist sentiments and the belief in American exceptionalism and the divine right to expand westward. This idea captured the popular imagination and became a central theme in political discourse.

  • Many in the US desired the annexation of Texas into the Union, driven by economic interests (particularly in the South, where cotton production was expanding), strategic considerations, and the desire to extend American influence. However, the annexation of Texas was controversial due to the issue of slavery, as Texas would enter the Union as a slave state, potentially upsetting the balance between free and slave states.

The Candidates

  • Democratic Candidate:

    • Multiple candidates competed for the nomination, reflecting divisions within the Democratic Party. Prominent contenders included Martin Van Buren, who had previously served as president, and Lewis Cass, who advocated for popular sovereignty on the issue of slavery in the territories.

    • James K. Polk, known as "Young Hickory" (in reference to Andrew Jackson), emerged as a "Dark-horse" candidate, unexpected to win the nomination, after the frontrunners failed to secure the necessary support. Polk's focus on westward expansion and his strong stance on the annexation of Texas appealed to many Democrats.

    • Polk's slogan: "54°40’ or Fight!" referred to the disputed boundary between the United States and British-controlled Canada in the Oregon Territory. This aggressive slogan underscored Polk's commitment to expansionism and resonated with voters eager to assert American claims in the West.

  • Whig Candidate:

    • Henry Clay ran as the Whig candidate, representing the party's established leadership and its platform of economic development and national unity.

    • Clay was widely expected to win by a significant margin, given his long and distinguished career in public service and his reputation as a skilled politician. However, his vacillation on the issue of Texas annexation would ultimately hurt his chances.

The Issues

  • Manifest Destiny:

    • It was the belief that America had a "God-given" right to expand from coast to coast, encompassing not only Texas and Oregon but also California and other western territories. This ideology was rooted in notions of racial and cultural superiority, as well as economic and strategic interests.

  • Texas:

    • Many Americans supported Texas joining the Union, as it was its own country at the time, having won independence from Mexico in 1836. The desire to annex Texas was particularly strong in the South, where it was seen as an opportunity to expand slaveholding territory and enhance the region's political power.

    • Polk was in favor of the annexation of Texas, viewing it as essential to American expansion and prosperity. He argued that Texas had a right to join the Union and that the United States had a duty to protect its independence.

    • Clay vacillated on the issue of Texas annexation, initially opposing it due to concerns about its impact on the slavery issue and relations with Mexico. However, as public sentiment shifted in favor of annexation, Clay attempted to moderate his position, which alienated voters on both sides of the issue.

  • Slavery:

    • Slavery was a prominent issue due to Manifest Destiny and the question of Texas, as the expansion of slavery into new territories threatened to upset the delicate balance between free and slave states. The debate over slavery intensified sectional tensions and contributed to the growing divide between the North and the South.

  • Tariffs:

    • Polk advocated for lowering tariff rates, aligning with the Democratic stance, which generally favored free trade and opposed protectionist measures that benefited Northern manufacturers at the expense of Southern planters and consumers.

The Results and Impact

  • Polk defeated Clay with an electoral vote of 170 to 105, a narrower margin than many had anticipated. Polk's victory was attributed to his strong stance on expansionism, particularly the annexation of Texas, which resonated with voters in the South and West.

  • As a lame-duck president, Tyler facilitated the annexation of Texas through a joint resolution of Congress, which required only a simple majority in both houses rather than a two-thirds majority in the Senate needed for a treaty. This move ensured that Texas would enter the Union before Tyler left office.

  • America achieved Manifest Destiny during Polk’s administration, as the United States expanded its territory significantly through the annexation of Texas, the acquisition of the Oregon Territory, and the Mexican Cession.

  • Significant acquisitions during Polk's presidency included:

    • Oregon Territory, acquired through a treaty with Great Britain in 1846, which resolved the disputed boundary in the Pacific Northwest and extended American control over the future states of Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.

    • Mexican Cession, acquired following the Mexican-American War (1846-1848), which included California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, and Wyoming. This vast territory greatly expanded American access to resources and trade routes in the West but also intensified the debate over slavery, as these new lands raised the question of whether they would be free or slave states.