I.

Introduction

Zachary Taylor (1784-1850), 12th president of the United States (1849-1850). He was a career army officer who was elected on the strength of the victories he won in the Mexican War (1846-1848). As a soldier he was a courageous and inspired leader who could always be found where the fighting was thickest. He never lost a battle. His men admired him and called him Old Rough and Ready. He was disdainful of military pomp and formal dress and was known for his plainness of manner and appearance.

Taylor was president for little more than a year. Although he lacked political experience, he resolutely faced up to the principal issue of the day, the expansion of slavery into the western territories. Although he was a Southern slaveholder, he was first and foremost a supporter of the Union, upholding the national interest over sectional interests. Like President Andrew Jackson, Taylor refused to compromise his principles to appease the South. His death paved the way for a succession of issue-straddling presidents whose attempts to mollify both sides at best delayed, and did not prevent, sectional conflict.