In 1876, the Republican Party bargained the end of Reconstruction for the presidency. Now faced with a solidly Democratic South, and fracturing within their own party, was their political dominance finally coming to an end?
It was America’s hundredth year of independence! How did the nation celebrate? With the most controversial election in American history!
Reconstruction was in full swing! But just because the Republicans had a lot of power, didn't mean that everyone in the party was happy. Would President Grant's status as a war hero be enough to win him a second term?
It's weird to think that there were two American governments during the Civil War. Before we move on to Reconstruction in the main series, I thought it would be interesting to discuss how the South found their president.
More Americans lost their lives in the Civil War than in any other war. Every decision weighed heavily on Lincoln, which had visible effects on his appearance. 1864 was the first election held during wartime since 1812. Allowing the election to be held at all was a crucial, frankly underrated, decision by Lincoln. Many believed the election should be postponed, but Lincoln insisted it was necessary to preserve our democracy, even if he might lose. But hey, he's the greatest president of all time for a reason.
Understandably, we mostly think about Abraham Lincoln as a wartime president, and rarely as a candidate. Believe it or not, voters in 1860 didn’t know he was the greatest president ever! Before Lincoln could put the country back together, others had to tear it apart. It's time for the most consequential election in American history.
Tensions were rising in America and things were looking pretty grim. The Whigs got obliterated in the last election. Could the remnants of their party pick up the pieces before the Southern Democrats enacted their pro-slavery vision?
With Henry Clay’s death and General Winfield Scott’s huge loss to Franklin Pierce, the Whig party came to an end in the 1850s. Before we introduce the Grand New Party, I’d like to pause and review the “Second Party System,” or the era of the Democrats and the Whigs.
Once again, the Whigs were in control of the presidency. Last time, William Henry Harrison died after a month and John Tyler went rogue. But that’s not going to happen this time, right? RIGHT?!
Uhh, good luck, Democrats! I can't imagine how they will overcome the fired up base that William Henry Harrison built, especially after he cleans up the mess Van Buren left him. He will surely have the most successful presidential term ever! 1844, here we come!
Election Tuesdays 