Who was elected president in 1844?

Answer 1

James Knox Polk (Democrat) defeated Henry Clay (Whig Party) in 1844. Polk was a surprise nominee and is often referred to as the "Dark Horse President". (Actually he was a former Speaker of the US House and a governor of Tennessee- not exactly a total unknown.)

Answer 2

Henry clay and James knox Polk go head to head in a campaign over the issue of annexing Texas

Henry clay and James knox Polk go head to head in a campaign over the issue of annexing Texas

Answer 3

James Knox Polk (Democrat) defeated Henry Clay (Whig Party) in 1844. Polk was a surprise nominee and is often referred to as the "Dark Horse President". (Actually he was a former Speaker of the US House and a governor of Tennessee- not exactly a total unknown.)

Answer 4

James K. Polk went against Henry Clay. Henry Clay was the expected winner because he was super well known and popular. He was also Whig. The Whigs would even yell,"Who is James K. Polk?" as a sort of rally-thing. However, in the 1840s, the Manifest Destiny was a really big thing.

(Manifest Destiny was the idea that the United States was destined by God to expand Westward and spread civilization. The term was first made by John O' Sullivan in the 1840's. It was used to justify the US expansion during that time period, including the war with Mexico.)

At this time period, a large political issue was expansion in Texas.

(When Andrew Jackson was president, he had gone into Florida (sort of underhandedly) and pretty much conquered it. In exchange, the US gave up ownership of Texas to Mexico. However, the US still wanted the land and all of these previously-Americans still lived there.)

The campaign call for Texas expansion was "54 40 or fight" and "54 40 forever" (referencing the latitude and longitude lines). Henry Clay, however, wasn't for the expansion and didn't support it. Polk did. To my understanding, this is how he ended up narrowly winning the election.

Answer 5

The democratic candidate James K. Polk was elected president in the election of 1844(information from Wikipedia article: 'United States presidential election, 1844').