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who were the candidates in the 1844 election

by Libbie Corkery Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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On November 5, 1844, Democratic candidate James K. Polk defeated Whig Party candidate Henry Clay to become the eleventh president of the United States. The American Presidency Project Web site presents election results from the 1844 presidential election. This site also contains the Whig Party Platform of 1844.

What was the result of the election of 1844?

See Article History. United States presidential election of 1844, American presidential election held in 1844 in which Democratic candidate James K. Polk defeated Whig candidate Henry Clay with 170 electoral votes to Clay’s 105.

Who ran against Henry Clay in the 1844 election?

While not many remember it today, the 1844 presidential election was very important in the course of American history. It featured famed Whig Henry Clay running against Democrat James Polk, along with a determined third party run by the Liberty Party candidate, James Birney.

What does blue and buff mean in the presidential election of 1844?

Blue denotes states won by Polk/Dallas, buff denotes those won by Clay/Frelinghuysen. Numbers indicate the number of electoral votes allotted to each state. The 1844 United States presidential election was the 15th quadrennial presidential election, held from Friday, November 1 to Wednesday, December 4, 1844.

Who was the leader of the Whig Party in 1844?

Former Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky, effectively the leader of the Whig Party since its inception in 1834, was selected as the Whig presidential nominee at the party's convention in Baltimore, Maryland, on May 1, 1844.

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Who was the Republican candidate for the 1832 presidential election?

The Whigs instead rallied to Henry Clay, who had run for the office (as a National Republican) in 1832 and who was against annexation. The party unanimously nominated him at its convention in Baltimore, Md., in May, with Frederick Theodore Frelinghuysen, the mayor of Newark, N.J., as his running mate. At the Democratic convention (also in Baltimore), the process was not nearly so smooth. The party had balkanized over a number of issues, among them the aforementioned annexation as well as the use of hard money over paper. Martin van Buren, who led the hard-money faction (perceived by many as antibusiness) and seemed at the outset to be the likely candidate, came out in opposition to annexing Texas, a move that cost him the support of followers of former president Andrew Jackson, an expansionist. Polk, who had hoped for only the vice presidential nomination, emerged as the Democrats’ nominee, with a former minister to Russia, the Pennsylvanian George Mifflin Dallas, as his running mate.

Who was the running mate of the Liberty Party?

Both slaveholders, Polk and Clay circled the issue of slavery, which arose because of both the proposed annexation of Texas and the entrance upon the scene of the Liberty Party, an antislavery party that nominated James Gillespie Birney, with Thomas Morris of Ohio as his running mate.

What was the Whig Party?

Whig Party, in U.S. history, major political party active in the period 1834–54 that espoused a program of national development but foundered on the rising tide of sectional antagonism. The Whig Party was formally organized in 1834, bringing together a loose coalition of groups united in their opposition to what…

Who is Polk's running mate?

Polk, who had hoped for only the vice presidential nomination, emerged as the Democrats’ nominee, with a former minister to Russia, the Pennsylvanian George Mifflin Dallas, as his running mate. James K. Polk. James K. Polk. Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

Who led the hard money faction?

Martin van Buren, who led the hard-money faction (perceived by many as antibusiness) and seemed at the outset to be the likely candidate, came out in opposition to annexing Texas, a move that cost him the support of followers of former president Andrew Jackson, an expansionist.

Who won the 1844 election?

The 1844 election was close, but Polk won a narrow victory. New York's electoral votes went to Polk and provided the difference in the election. The votes given to Birney took away enough support from Clay to give the victory to Polk. Had Clay received all of Birney's votes in New York, he would have won the presidency. It was a fateful outcome for the United States, and for Mexico as well.

Who was the third party candidate for President in 1844?

There was a third party candidate in 1844, though. The Liberty Party nominated James Birney on an anti-slavery platform, which garnered significant support in the North.

What was the significance of the election of 1844?

In 1844, the United States was a growing nation. The presidential election that year ensured that this growth would continue with more territorial expansion. The election of James Polk as the 11th President of the United States did much to shape the future of the United States, despite Polk only having one term in office. Let's learn more about how Polk won the presidency in 1844.

What was the Whig Party?

During the Andrew Jackson presidency, those who disagreed with the president's usage of executive power and authority banded together and formed the Whig Party. The party triumphed in the election of 1840 when William Henry Harrison was elected the 9th President of the United States. However, Harrison's untimely demise just a few weeks into his presidency meant that Vice President John Tyler took over as the 10th President of the United States. Tyler proved a poor president. He did not advance the Whig agenda, and by 1844, it was all but decided he would not be the party's nominee for the presidency.

What did James Polk do as President?

As President, James Polk led the country to war with Mexico, which led to the United States acquiring California and New Mexico from Mexico. Polk also acquired the Oregon Territory, lowered tariffs, and instituted new policies on an independent treasury system . He ran on all four of these objectives and pledged to serve one term. He held true to all his promises. Most certainly, had Henry Clay been elected president, the United States would not have gone to war with Mexico, and the future of the country would have been very different. In 1848, Whig candidate and Mexican War hero General Zachary Taylor was elected president, ending James Polk's presidency.

Who took control of the Whig Party after the death of William Henry Harrison?

After the death of William Henry Harrison, the Whig Party was devastated. John Tyler took control of the office and was more of a Democrat than a Whig and would not allow the Whigs to pass much of their legislation.

Who was the dark horse in the Democratic Party?

The Democratic Party nominated a dark horse, James K. Polk from Tennessee.

Who was the most successful president in the history of the United States?

President James Polk would go on to be the most successful one-term president in United States history. He would set out and accomplish each of his four goals to increase American expansion.

What was Henry Clay's mistake?

Whigs: Henry Clay made a crucial mistake during his Presidential campaign. He was originally for the annexation of Texas and then waffled on the issue which cost him. He also argued for the recharter of the Bank of the United States.

When were the 1844 elections held?

Elections were held at-large on a general ticket August 5, 1844.

Who won the 1844 US presidential election?

The House elections spanned the 1844 Presidential election, won by dark horse Democratic candidate James K. Polk, who advocated territorial expansion. The new states of Texas and Iowa were added during this Congress, with Florida admitted on the last day of the previous Congress.

When were the 1844 and 1845 elections?

Elections to the United States House of Representatives for the 29th Congress were held at various dates in different states from July 1844 to November 1845. All 224 elected members took their seats when Congress convened December 1, 1845.

How many members of Congress were elected in 1845?

Elections to the United States House of Representatives for the 29th Congress were held at various dates in different states from July 1844 to November 1845. All 224 elected members took their seats when Congress convened December 1, 1845.

When was the North Carolina election?

North Carolina. See also: List of United States representatives from North Carolina. Elections were held August 7, 1845, after the March 4, 1845 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1845. District.

When was the New Hampshire election?

See also: List of United States representatives from New Hampshire. Elections were held at-large on a general ticket March 11, 1845, after the March 4, 1845 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1845. District.

When was the Mississippi election?

Mississippi. See also: List of United States representatives from Mississippi. Elections were held November 3–4, 1845, after the March 4, 1845 beginning of the term, but before the House first convened in December 1845. District.

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during the 1844 presidential election, who were the candidates, and what was the main issue?

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1. The 1844 U.S. presidential election saw Democrat James Knox Polk defeat Whig Henry Clay in a tight contest that turned to foreign policy, with Polk supported Texas and Clay's annexation in opposition. James K. Polk, the Democratic candidate, ran o … View the full answer

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1.1844 United States presidential election

Url:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1844_United_States_Presidential_Election

21 hours ago  · The 1844 United States presidential election was the 15th quadrennial presidential election, held from Friday, November 1 to Wednesday, December 4, 1844. Democrat James K. …

2.United States presidential election of 1844 - Britannica

Url:https://www.britannica.com/event/United-States-presidential-election-of-1844

32 hours ago  · 1844 Presidential Election The candidates for the Presidential election of 1844 were; James K. Polk (Democratic) Henry Clay (Whig) and James G. Birney (Liberty).

3.Presidential Election of 1844: Issues, Candidates

Url:https://study.com/academy/lesson/presidential-election-of-1844-issues-candidates-summary.html

15 hours ago On November 5, 1844, Democratic candidate James K. Polk defeated Whig Party candidate Henry Clay to become the eleventh president of the United States. The American Presidency Project …

4.Presidential Election of 1844 Facts and Outcome

Url:https://thehistoryjunkie.com/presidential-election-of-1844-facts-and-outcome/

27 hours ago The House elections spanned the 1844 presidential election, won by dark horse Democratic candidate James K. Polk, who advocated territorial expansion. The new states of Texas and …

5.1844 and 1845 United States House of Representatives …

Url:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1844_and_1845_United_States_House_of_Representatives_elections

23 hours ago 1844 United States presidential election Nominee James K. Polk Henry Clay Party Democratic Whig Home state Tennessee Kentucky Running mate George M. Dallas Theodore …

6.Solved during the 1844 presidential election, who were …

Url:https://www.chegg.com/homework-help/questions-and-answers/1844-presidential-election-candidates-main-issue-led-mexican-american-war-compare-leadersh-q46358867

6 hours ago 1. The 1844 U.S. presidential election saw Democrat James Knox Polk defeat Whig Henry Clay in a tight contest that turned to foreign policy, with Polk supported Texas and Clay's annexation in …

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