What is some information about Zachary Taylor?

Answer 1

President: Zachary Taylor (1784 - 1850)

Term: March 4, 1849 - July 9, 1850

Background: Taylor was born in a log cabin in Orange County, Virginia. He was the third of nine children. His parents were Colonel Richard Lee Taylor and Sarah Strother. Taylor's family moved to Jefferson County, Kentucky. Taylor grew up in this location on a plantation called "Springfield." He was educated by private tutors and was also a descendant of King Edward I of England. Taylor joined the United States Army on May 3, 1808 becoming the first lieutenant of the Seventh Infantry Regiment. Later being promoted captain in November 1810. Taylor fought in many wars named War of 1812, Black Hawk War, Second Seminole War, Mexican-American War, Battle of Monterrey and the Battle of Buena Vista, but most importantly, he was known for fighting in the war against Mexico.

Political Party: Whig

Vice-President: Millard Fillmore

Major Domestic Policy: During Taylor's term in office, slavery began to become a strong issue between the North and the South. Sectionalism was increasing and Taylor new that he had to ease the tension of the feuding North and South. He devised a plan that was only passed after his death in office. He drafted the Compromise of 1850 with solved the dispute of slavery. California and New Mexico were close to being brought into statehood. Taylor called for these states to be brought into process right away.

Major Foreign Policy: James Knox Polk created a mass expansion of the United States. Taylor was a general during the war with Mexico. After this time, he then stayed to a strict policy of neutrality, keeping the United States of wars and foreign conflicts from 1849 to 1850. Taylor created a plan to build a canal over Nicaragua. Britain opposed the creation of the canal since they owned nearby Honduras. The dispute was ended with the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty, which stated that both Britain and America were going to disown any project of a canal being built in this area.

Court Case:

• Sheldon v. Sill (1850)-stated that Congress could cause limitation of jurisdiction over the courts except for the Supreme Court.

Intellectual and Social Developments:

Slavery and Indian tension raised during this time giving a rise to a Civil War. The department of Interior was established. Woman's desire to vote increased as all white men including immigrants were allowed to vote. Women began created important conventions such as the one at Seneca Falls in New York in order to fight for their voting rights and women suffrage. Men opposed women's suffrage due to the belief that women were already busy enough with chores at home. Overall, there were no major events that occurred during this time period.

Taylor's Legacy: Taylor is known for the second president to die during presidency and did not have much of an impact. He was never in touch with Congress and was known for not clearly stating his policy to Legislation except during the time he enforced the bringing to statehood of California and New Mexico. He is known for being hypocritical due to wanting a ban of slavery in the expansion of the western territories, but he was a slave owner himself. Taylor didn't believe that Manifest Destiny was necessary as a foreign policy. He was a stern military commander and avoided unsuitable conduct as president. Once important factor is that Taylor believed in preserving the Union. Overall, Taylor was known as the Mexican War hero and a man who fought for the rights of Indians. He was also know by his nickname "Old Rough and Ready" due to his stern and roughness as a career soldier. He was known for dressing rugged and disarrange. Most people still wonder, if Taylor would have lived, would he of been able to end the dispute of slavery that faced the expansion in the Western Territory in 1850?