Election

Zachary Taylor gained American popularity through winning his battles in the Mexican-American War. Taylor accepted the Whig nomination at the Whig convention in 1848. His opponents were Martin Van Buren (Free Soil) and Lewis Cass (Democrat). He took the popular and electoral votes to capture the win. He gave his Inaugural speech on March 5, 1849 signifying his win.Taylor's vice-president was Millard Fillmore who became president following Taylor's death.

Taylor ran as and ideal man "without regard to creeds or principles". He obtained votes from both northern and southern states. northern states voted for him because of his long and respected military career. He gained southern votes through his ownership of slaves. Taylor's iffy view on vetoing the Wilmot Proviso, a controversial bill prohibiting slavery in the western lands, lost him many southern votes.