Slavery and it's Legacies in North America: With the newly acquired lands from the Polk presidency the new concern about slavery focused on whether or not it would be practiced in the west. With the opportunity to greatly increase their slave territory pro slavery citizens had a great desire to establish the practice in the western lands. Anti - slavery citizens viewed this potential act a threat and fought hard to prevent any expansion. Taylor took matters into his own hands and suggested to the lands of California and New Mexico to begin to establish themselves by instituting their own consitutions and possibly applying for statehood. President Taylor kept a close watch on the debate and regulated the possible statehood of the two locations.
Politics and Citizenship: During Taylor's time in office slavery was the main focus and remained that way due to new land. A compromise which arose during the Taylor presidency known as the Compromise of 1850 was brought into view in hopes of settling disputes. The compromise would focus on the constant conflict between free states and slave states and the struggle to maintain an equal number between the two. Although while many states were being transformed and labeled slave states there were also those who made efforts to be free. California for example had applied to the government to be a free state and later was accepted as one. California being so newly acquired was a focal point and it's acceptance as a free state was critical. The compromise would go on to impact slavery greatly by abolishing the slave trade in D.C and continued on to the Fillmore presidency.
Environment: Passed In 1850 the Clayton - Bulwer Treaty greatly impacted the surrounding area of the canal in Nicaragua as well as help maintain a sense of neutrality between the U.S and Britain towards its creation. Under the agreements made through the treaty it stated that no colonies were to be established in Central America, neither side would try to establish a stronghold near the canal, and that neither side would try to control the canal for themselves. Through this treaty the lands near the Nicaragua location could have been greatly altered if not for the limitations that were stated. The limitations did prove successful and a genuine compromise was reached between the two nations. It later served as a positive step towards the relation between the two as well as the protection of a expanse of land.
War and Diplomacy: President Taylor was in office only for a year before his tragic and unfortunate death, leaving some, but few critical movements or actions that he made. But prior to his presidency, Zachary Taylor was involved in the Mexican - American War. He in fact was considered to be a hero of the war for proactively fighting against the Mexican forces and being able to give the Americans a bigger fighting chance. This new found sense of prominence help to usher in his presidency by having a large support base for when it came time to vote.
Economic Transformations and Globalization: Being involved in the Mexican - American War meant a great deal of money being spent. From soldiers, to paying for weapons, materials, housing etc. the war as any other was extremely costly. The condition of the nation was indeed affected due to the war and weakened in as sense. Following the Mexican - American War came economic situations and reforms in order to compensate for the costs of war.
American Identity and Culture: The death of President Taylor was definitely out of the ordinary and he suffered greatly from what simply could have been fixed. At the misinterpretation of what actually was wrong with President Taylor's body, he ended up paying the cost by being tested on and had to undergo a series of painful and what could have been uneccessary tests. The death of President Taylor in a broader aspect reflects the nation/society as a whole and just how much we were still unaware of. The death itself caused a stir in the nation and influenced the minds of many.
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