1840 Election: Tippecanoe and Tyler Too

[SPC]

So President Polk predicted acted to annex the recently declared Republic of Texas to the United States in 1837, which equally predictably earned the ire of Mexico and led to war over a boundary dispute involving the Rio Grande. The war went extremely well for the United States, and while Polk had hoped to annex the entirety of Mexico, the delegation he sent obted for merely the territories of California, Utah, and New Mexico. The Oregon boundary dispute was also resolved at the 49 parallel. In domestic policy, Polk accomplished his goal of tariff reduction.

The general election campaign was largely devoid of any substantive discussion of the issues, with Whigs preferring to stress Harrison's military experience rather than their policy agenda, and Democrats pointing out Harrison's age and likelihood of contracting serious illness during his term. An attempt by the Free Soil Party to draft former President Van Buren into the race faltered, as the former President refused to break the Washington tradition of not seeking a third term.

[Mr. Smith]

Cass, reluctantly again.

[politicus]

Cass, reluctantly.

[TNF]

Harrison to prevent the slavocrats from winning again.

[SPC]

Turnout for this election is the highest since 1800.

[Goldwater]

Not Cass.

[KCDem]

No Whig is getting my vote (sane)

[SWE]

Very reluctant Harrison vote

[SPC]

Former Senator William Henry Harrison/Senator John Tyler 49.8% 159
Senator Lewis Cass/Senator William King 49.7% 135