By the end of this section, you will be able to:Describe the terms of the Wilmot ProvisoDiscuss why the Free-Soil Party objected to the westward expansion of slaveryExplain why sectional and political divisions in the United States grewDescribe the terms of the Compromise of 1850

Zachary Taylor's stubborn resistance to declaring his views on the major political issues during his candidacy in the 1848 presidential campaign was a favorite theme of the opposition. Here Taylor, in uniform, fields questions from a group of "Office Seekers." The first asks, "What is your opinion of Free-Trade Sir?" A bespectacled man behind him inquires, "What do you think of the Tariff Sir?" Two other men standing in background debate: "We can't find out anything by him." "That's because he's got it in him--A still tongue makes a wise head. Didn't he lick Santa Anna at Buena Vista?" Taylor, sitting with feet propped on a chair back, declares, "Ax my ------! Do you think I sit here to answer your bothering questions? You'll find out what I think when I'm President, & then it will be my part to command & yours to obey." At left, editor Horace Greeley (in long white coat) confides to an unidentified man, "We must take up with Matty [i.e., Martin Van Buren, Free Soil candidate]." The other man states, "We must elect Hale." He refers to John P. Hale, Liberty party nominee for president in the fall of 1847. His nomination was superseded in the coalition of Liberty party and Barnburner Democrats forming the Free Soil party in August 1848 to nominate Van Buren.|Drawn by H. Bucholzer.|Published by J. Baillie 87th St. near 3d. Avenue N.Y.|The Library's impression was deposited for copyright on September 14, 1848.|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Lorant, p. 192.|Weitenkampf, p. 94.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1848-25.

A crudely drawn but complex satire mocking Zachary Taylor's military background and lack of political experience. Student Zachary Taylor, wearing a paper cap made out of the journal "The True Whig" is seated on a low stool at the feet of his more politically seasoned running mate Millard Fillmore. Taylor reads from a book "Congressional Debates 1848. Slavery . . .", and spells out "W-I-L-M-O-T: Wilmot, P-R-O-V-I-S-O: Proviso. What do I know about such political stuff. Ah! Wait until I get loose, Then you will see what fighting is!" A torn sheet marked "National Bank" lies at his feet. Fillmore, who reads from "The Glorious Whig Principles [by] Henry Clay," admonishes Taylor, "This will never do, you must forsake this course,--for our party is a peaceful and rightous sect--free from wickedness." Behind Fillmore are an open book cabinet, the Constitution, and a globe. This are in obvious contrast to the maps of "The Late War" and a broadsheet "The Life of Johnny Tyler" on the wall behind Taylor. At Taylor's knee sits a bloodhound with a collar marked "Florida," a reminder of Taylor's controversial use of bloodhounds in the Second Seminole War. To the right two black youths polish Taylor's weapons. The first, kneeling and wiping a pistol, says, "By golly! Massa Taylor like fighting better then him dinner." The other, cleaning a sword, claims, "Dis am de knife wot massa use to cut up de Mexijins wid." In the center of the floor are a group of toy soldiers and a cannon.|Probably drawn by E.F. Durang.|Published by Peter E. Abel & Durang, Philada.|Sold by Turner & Fisher, N. York & Philada.|Title appears as it is written on the item.|Weitenkampf, p. 95.|Forms part of: American cartoon print filing series (Library of Congress)|Published in: American political prints, 1766-1876 / Bernard F. Reilly. Boston : G.K. Hall, 1991, entry 1848-44.

 U.S. History is designed to meet the scope and sequence requirements of most introductory courses. The text provides a balanced approach to U.S. history, considering the people, events, and ideas that have shaped the United States from both the top down (politics, economics, diplomacy) and bottom up (eyewitness accounts, lived experience). U.S. History covers key forces that form the American experience, with particular attention to issues of race, class, and gender.Senior Contributing AuthorsP. Scott Corbett, Ventura CollegeVolker Janssen, California State University, FullertonJohn M. Lund, Keene State CollegeTodd Pfannestiel, Clarion UniversityPaul Vickery, Oral Roberts UniversitySylvie Waskiewicz

By the end of this section, you will be able to:Describe the terms of the Wilmot ProvisoDiscuss why the Free-Soil Party objected to the westward expansion of slaveryExplain why sectional and political divisions in the United States grewDescribe the terms of the Compromise of 1850