Exploring American Histories: Printed Page 312

Document 10.5

William Henry Harrison Campaign Poster, 1840

The 1840 presidential campaign pitted the incumbent Martin Van Buren against William Henry Harrison. Harrison, the Whig Party candidate, was portrayed as a man from humble origins even though he was the son of a wealthy Virginia planter. His campaign slogan “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too” highlighted his military background and leadership in the defeat of Tenskwatawa at the Battle of Tippecanoe. The campaign was a rousing success, and Harrison and his running mate, John Tyler, handily defeated Van Buren with 53 percent of the popular vote.

Explore

image
Library of Congress

Interpret the Evidence

  • Question

    What impression of Harrison and his background was the poster meant to convey?

  • Question

    What characteristics does the poster associate with the “common man” and, by extension, Harrison?

Put It in Context

Question

How does this poster illustrate the democratization of American politics in the first half of the nineteenth century?