Log Cabins and Hard Cider of 1840

By Nick Maurer and Matt Lackritz

“Martin Van Ruin”Incumbent (current)

PresidentNominated by

Democrats for Election of 1840Only real choice

Called “Martin Van Ruin” by WhigsEarned name by

poor job in office

WhigsFelt confident Van

Buren would loseLearned from their

mistake and only had one candidate- William Henry HarrisonNot the best

statesmen, but more popular

William Henry HarrisonKnown for his success at the Battles of

Tippecanoe (1811) and Thames (1813)Described as “issueless and enemyless” (280)John Tyler was running mate

CampaignHarrison was

portrayed as a poor farmer who was coming to end corruptionCampaigned with

log cabins and cider as his symbols

Opinions of either candidate not well known

Election of 1840Popular vote was

very close:1,274,624 for

Harrison1,127,781 for Van

BurenElectoral vote was

more decisive:234 for Harrison60 for Van Buren

ResourcesThe American Pageant, Twelfth Editionhttp://147.129.226.1/rhp/depts/stratcomm/blo

gs/posters_and_election_propaganda/tags/william_henry_harrison/

http://www.history.com/photos/william-henry-harrison

http://www.dipity.comwww.picturehistory.comwww.flickr.com