1844

**1844** is a scenario in The Campaign Trail. Chronologically, it is the earliest election in the original game, although there are several mod scenarios that take place much earlier. Playable candidates are Democrat James K. Polk and Whig Henry Clay, with major issues being slavery and the annexation of the Republic of Texas. It was released by Bryan onto the American History USA website around February 2, 2016. It was one of the scenarios that required a premier membership to be played until it was unlocked on October 6, 2018. This is the only scenario in the original game where there is no Republican candidate.

## In-game description

"President Tyler has defined the key issue of this election with his proposed annexation of Texas. James K. Polk, the Democrat, gained his nomination by favoring the measure. Henry Clay, the Whig, has more latitude.

The Liberty Party lurks as an abolitionist third party, and will pressure the Whigs. Conversely, John Tyler hopes to use the Texas issue to energize an independent campaign, if Polk wavers. Other campaign issues are tariffs, internal improvements, and the banking system."

*-from The Campaign Trail, by Dan Bryan*

## Candidates and strategies

### Democratic Party

From The Campaign Trail:

"James K. Polk won the Democratic nomination as a dark horse candidate, after Martin Van Buren was rejected for being soft on the Texas issue. He is a former Speaker of the House, and also served as Governor of Tennessee. Polk's support is strongest in the South, but he must hold some Northern states to win. To do this, he could exploit the Oregon issue, fond memories of Andrew Jackson, and the emerging Catholic vote. Note that John Tyler has yet to formally renounce his independent bid."

#### Vice-Presidential nominees

Polk has two options for his running mate

* George Dallas, a Pennsylvanian moderate and the preferred choice of the DNC
* Levi Woodbury, a senator from New Hampshire with a national reputation and staunch Democratic views

##### Pros and cons

George Dallas was Polk's running mate in real life, his advantages are

* He is from the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania, having served as it's U.S. Senator, and as the mayor of it's largest city, Philadelphia
* He is a northerner who would balance the ticket by running alongside Polk, a southerner
* He is a moderate who could win-over people in swing states, but is very pro-annexation, an issue advantageous to the Democrats, which would help cement it as the central issue of the election
* He is the preferred choice of the Democratic Convention

No major disadvantages are named for Dallas.

Woodbury's advantages are

* He is more nationally well-known than George Dallas
* His staunch Democratic views could help incentivize voters in the Southern and Western states

Woodbury's disadvantages are

* His state, New Hampshire, is already in the Democratic column and it's not as electorally important
* His Jacksonian views could hurt the Democrats with voters in the crucial states of New York and Pennsylvania

#### Strategies and guide

Polk's advisor in the election is Amos Kendall, who was the Postmaster General under presidents Jackson and Van Buren in real life. As previously mentioned, Polk must win some northern states, which he could do by selecting Dallas as his running mate, exploiting Oregon and Andrew Jackson, and attempting to appeal to Irish Catholics. He should also emphasize the Texas issue, as it is an issue favorable to the Democrats and moderate on other issues by mentioning his support for an independent treasury and limited, but not extremely low, tariffs. Polk should select Dallas as his running mate to ensure the best outcome. The player should answer the questions as follows:

1. "You are known as a supporter of annexation on the Texas front. Do you have anything you would like to add, now that you have been nominated?" - **We must annex Texas as soon as practicable.**
2. "What points will emphasize in your acceptance letter, as you accept the Democratic nomination for President?" - **I will express my support for the annexation of Texas, and a favorable resolution to the Oregon situation. On other issues, we will continue Van Buren's efforts to establish an Independent Treasury, and will move to reduce tariffs.**
3. "John Tyler is pleased with your position on the Texas issue, and is prepared to withdraw his candidacy. Can you give him assurances that certain appointees of his will be safe in their positions, should you be elected?" - **Getting Tyler out of the race is worth it. He can send us a reasonable list of people who will stay on when we're elected.**
4. "What is your current position on the banking system?" - **I will never support a national bank, but I do advocate an independent Treasury, so that federal funds won't be tied up in local speculations.**
5. "Do you support an Amendment that would limit the President to a single term in office?" - **I don't support an Amendment on this issue, but I will personally promise not to run for reelection.**
6. "Do you believe that some revenue should be set aside from our tariffs to finance internal improvements, such as canals and roads?" - **Only a very limited amount, for the most compelling projects. Otherwise, the tariff should be for revenue purposes only.**
7. "What should your party's position be on the Tariff of 1842, which increased tariffs?" - **The primary purpose of our tariffs should be revenue. But should a small amount of protection *incidentally* occur from our tariff policy, that is acceptable.**
8. "Would you support the annexation of Texas, even without an agreement with Mexico, and a possible war?" - **The prospect of war with a backwards country such as Mexico should play no part in our calculations.**
9. "Should your party attack Henry Clay's personal conduct? His gambling, womanizing, dueling, and generally irreligious nature?" - **We can emphasize in my own biography that I have led an upright life, without any taint to my personal conduct.**
10. "Do you have any statement on the presence of Theodore Frelinghuysen on the Whig ticket, and his association with known anti-Catholic agitators?" - **The Democratic Party is a friend of the working-class, and of immigrants from abroad. We denounce the vile bigotry of the Whig Party, as evidenced by Frelinghuysen.**
11. "Silas Wright, the protege and successor to Van Buren, has been mentioned as a candidate for Governor of New York. He seems hesitant. Will you write him a letter imploring him to enter the race?" - **This is an issue of state politics that I will stay removed from.**
12. "Henry Clay supports the idea that the federal government should purchase the telegraph patent and manage the technology. To what extent should you attack him on this?" - **We don't need to hammer on the internal improvements issue. We have other things to talk about which will better unite the party.**
13. "Do you believe that any Southern Whig can call themselves a supporter of slavery, so long as Henry Clay equivocates on the Texas issue?" - **We have the upper-hand here, and we need to hammer the Southern Whigs on their allegiance to a party that is drifting towards increasingly radical positions.**
14. "For better or worse, many view you as a protege of Andrew Jackson (some call you “Young Hickory”). Is it better to embrace this label, or to distance yourself from it?" - **I am a personal friend of Andrew Jackson, and have repeatedly taken advice from him throughout my political career. I'm proud of this and I believe it to be an asset in this campaign.**
15. "Cassius Clay, a cousin of Henry Clay, has published a letter stating Henry Clay is in accord with the abolitionist movement. Should your party disseminate copies of this letter as an attack?" - **That seems like a pretty obvious move to me. The Whigs have always had trouble finessing this issue.**
16. "There have recently been riots and armed clashes between nativists and Irish immigrants in Philadelphia and elsewhere. Do you have any plans to condemn the nativist violence in these episodes?" - **The Whig Party attempts to stand apart from these nativist mobs, yet their own candidate for Vice President has associated with virulent anti-Catholics.**
17. "What do you make of Martin Van Buren's 1842 visit to Henry Clay's estate? Is Clay too friendly with Northern interests?" - **This incident was a source of insinuation against Van Buren during the nomination battle. In the main election, however, we shouldn't mention anything that could cause a rift in the party.**
18. "Do you agree with Robert Walker's letter, arguing that that slavery issue will be diluted by national expansion?" - **We won't address Mr. Walker's letter directly, but we are in favor of annexation.**
19. "Do you have any criticism of the authorities in Illinois, regarding their failure to properly protect Joseph Smith before his assassination in June?" - **This is not an issue that we plan to address in our campaign.**
20. "Regardless of your personal feelings, would you sign an act which established an independent Treasury for the government's funds?" - **The creation of an independent Treasury will be one of the key initiatives of my Presidency.**
21. "Do you support any effort to establish a unified, national currency?" - **I support an independent Treasury, but not one that would disseminate a national currency.**
22. "Do you support any changes to our current naturalization laws?" - **I support our current naturalization laws as they stand.**
23. "Would you sign a law that lowered tariffs below the level needed to protect American industry from foreign imports?" - **I would gladly sign such a bill into law.**
24. "Aside from the issue of Texas, do you support the expansion of the United States in general? Into Oregon, other parts of Mexico, Cuba, etc.?" - **I believe that the United States, in line with the "Manifest Destiny" ideal, should expand wherever feasible.**
25. "Is there a particular state where your party should concentrate its resources and most talented speakers as the election draws near?" - **New York** (if playing on an easier difficulty and New York is secured then **Ohio**)

If playing on the original American History USA website, the questions may appear in a different order. Sometimes, different questions not in the New Campaign Trail will show up, such as:

* "Do you have any statement to make on John Calhoun's “Packenham Letter”, stating slavery to be a positive blessing, and justifying the annexation of Texas as a pro-slavery move?" - **We will frame Texas as an issue of national pride and national expansion. I rebuke the idea of Calhoun that this is purely a Southern enterprise.**
* "Do you support the lifting of the Gag Rule in Congress?" - **We have no plans to address the Gag Rule during our campaign.**
* "After the unfortunate death of Abel Upshur in the *Princeton* explosion, John Calhoun succeeded him as Secretary of State. Was this a wise appointment by President Tyler?" - **We don't have any plans to comment upon the Cabinet appointments of President Tyler.**
* "What is your position on the Oregon boundary question?" - **We need to be just as aggressive on this issue as we are anywhere else. "Fifty-four Forty or Fight!"**

### Whig Party

From The Campaign Trail:

"Henry Clay runs in a Presidential election for the third time, and begins as the favorite against Polk. He must quickly define a position on Texas. It will be difficult to do so without alienating some bloc of the Whigs.

Clay would prefer to keep slavery and expansion on the back-burner, and advance his own issues like tariffs, internal improvements, and a national currency. Can he find redemption from his political defeats to Andrew Jackson, and finally break into the White House?"

#### Vice-Presidential nominees

Clay has three options for his running mate

* Theodore Frelinghuysen, a former senator from New Jersey who is an evangelical Protestant
* John Sergeant, a Pennsylvanian who was Clay's running mate in 1832
* Millard Fillmore, a New Yorker who opposes the expansion of slavery

##### Pros and cons

Frelinghuysen, Clay's running mate in real life, has one major listed advantage

* His association with anti-Catholics could help with the nativist vote

Frelinghuysen's disadvantages include

* He could make it even harder for the Whigs to win over Irish Catholics
* He could hurt Clay in the South due to his strong opposition to the Indian Removal Act

John Sergeant's advantages are

* He has a history with Clay, being his running mate in 1832
* He could help Clay in the North due to his opposition to slavery, as evidenced by his vote against the Missouri Compromise, and his support of the national banking system

Sergeant's disadvantages are

* His anti-slavery and pro-banking positions could hurt Clay in the South
* He has not been involved in politics for over 3 years
* He is too tied to the Second Bank of the United States

Fillmore's advantages are

* His political positions are staunchly Whiggish
* He is well connected to New York politics and would help in the crucial state
* He is anti-slavery, but not an abolitionist, which could help in the North

Fillmore's disadvantages are

* His anti-slavery positions could hurt Clay in the South

##### Strategies and guide

Clay's advisor in the election is Thurlow Weed, a former New York State Assemblyman and newspaper publisher. Clay's strategy involves announcing a clear position on the Texas issue and energizing Whigs with issues such as tariffs, internal improvements, and national currency. Fillmore is likely the best running mate for Clay to choose as he has the least disadvantages. Responses to the questions are as follows:

1. "Martin Van Buren, Democrat and President until 1841, will be making a tour of the country to visit various friends and political figures. Will you extend the invitation for him to stay at your estate for a few days?" - **This would be a strictly personal invite. We are friends. And besides, it might blunt some opposition to my candidacy from New York.**
2. "What points will emphasize in your acceptance letter, as you accept the Whig nomination for President?" - **I will avoid any mention of Texas. The main focus of my acceptance will be an elucidation of my economic principles, including a national bank, a tariff, and internal improvements.**
3. "What position will you take on the Texas annexation issue?" - **This discussion has grown tiresome, but let me restate that I support the annexation of Texas.**
4. "What should your party's position be on the Tariff of 1842, which increased tariffs?" - **We stand steadfast in support of this tariff. It is one of the few positive accomplishments of Mr. Tyler's so-called Presidency.**
5. "Do you support an Amendment that would limit the President to a single term in office?" - **I don't support an Amendment on this issue, but I will personally promise not to run for reelection.**
6. "Do you believe that some revenue should be set aside from our tariffs to finance internal improvements, such as canals and roads?" - **This is one of the key objectives of our current tariff policy, and I would support a strong infrastructure program as President.**
7. "What is your current position on the banking system?" - **I stand for a national bank, broadly similar to the late Second Bank of the United States.**
8. "There are a number of attacks which focus on your fondness for horse-racing, drinking, gambling, female conversation, and the like. Do you have a response to this?" - **There are a lot of places in America where men like that kind of thing. We will win the Yankee Puritan vote in any case.**
9. "Does it make sense to attack Northern Democrats as enablers and fellow travelers of the Southern slavery expansion?" - **We should attack the Northern Democrats on their opposition to, or flip-flopping on, the issues of tariffs and internal improvements. They are soft ground in that debate.**
10. "There have recently been riots and armed clashes between nativists and Irish immigrants in Philadelphia and elsewhere. Do you have any plans to condemn the Irish violence in these episodes?" - **After a few days have passed and tempers have cooled, let us reemphasize our support for current naturalization laws.**
11. "Cassius Clay, your cousin, has published a letter stating you are in accord with the abolitionist movement. How will you respond to this?" - **We must put out a letter, clarifying that we only support abolition if slaveholders can be fairly compensated, with reasonable notice, and if freed slaves can be recolonized to Africa.**
12. "Is there something you can do to give the Southern Whigs political cover from the incessant attacks that they are in league with an anti-slavery party?" - **I am opposed to radicalism from any region, and that includes anti-slavery radicalism. The Whig Party is a national party with a national program that will benefit all regions equally.**
13. "Do you plan to make any attacks against the Liberty Party, a radical abolitionist group that is fielding a third party candidate?" - **Thomas Birney is a stooge of the Democrats, attempting to agitate emotions and divide our party. People ought to feel free to vote for him if they want to hand this election to James K. Polk.**
14. "Do you still support the idea that the federal government should purchase the telegraph patent and manage the technology?" - **I've supported internal improvements throughout my career, but telegraph lines are a different thing. I trust that private individuals can build these.**
15. "Was there really a bargain (a “Corrupt Bargain” to many) between yourself and John Quincy Adams which elevated him to the Presidency in 1825?" - **I don't know how many times a man can deny an unjust allegation before fatigue sets in.**
16. "Aside from the issue of Texas, do you support the expansion of the United States in general? Into Oregon, other parts of Mexico, Cuba, etc.?" - **Oregon is a different issue than that of Texas. In Oregon we have an existing, legitimate claim.**
17. "Do you support any effort to establish a unified, national currency?" - **I support a national bank, and one clear argument for the bank is the total chaos we've had with our currency since 1837.**
18. "Do you agree with Robert Walker's letter, arguing that that slavery issue will be diluted by national expansion?" - **We won't address Mr. Walker's letter directly, but we are in favor of annexation.**
19. "Regardless of your personal feelings, would you sign an act which established an independent Treasury for the government's funds?" - **I would prefer a national bank, but I would be willing to sign a bill which created an independent Treasury.**
20. "Do you support any changes to our current naturalization laws?" - **Only some very minor changes, like increasing the waiting period before new citizens may vote.**
21. "Do you have any criticism of the authorities in Illinois, regarding their failure to properly protect Joseph Smith before his assassination in June?" - **This is not an issue that we plan to address in our campaign.**
22. "Do you support the lifting of the Gag Rule in Congress?" - **We have no plans to address the Gag Rule during our campaign.**
23. "What is your position on the Oregon boundary question?" - **We need to be just as aggressive on this issue as we are anywhere else. "Fifty-four Forty or Fight!"**
24. "Would you sign a law that lowered tariffs below the level needed to protect American industry from foreign imports?" - **I would be forced to veto such a measure as President.**
25. "Is there a particular state where your party should concentrate its resources and most talented speakers as the election draws near?" - **New York** or **Pennsylvania** (whichever you are doing worse in)

Once again, if playing on American History USA, the questions usually will be in a different order, and some different questions may show up, which should be answered as followed:

* "After the unfortunate death of Abel Upshur in the *Princeton* explosion, John Calhoun succeeded him as Secretary of State. Was this a wise appointment by President Tyler?" - **We don't have any plans to comment upon the Cabinet appointments of President Tyler.**
* "Do you have any statement to make on John Calhoun's “Packenham Letter”, stating slavery to be a positive blessing, and justifying the annexation of Texas as a pro-slavery move?" - **We will frame Texas as an issue of national pride and national expansion. I rebuke the idea of Calhoun that this is purely a Southern enterprise.**

## State ideologies

*Note: The general lean category is somewhat subjective and can change based on the difficulty level or how well/poorly the player plays the game*

## Endings

### Polk victory (canonical ending)

#### As Polk

"Your first order of business will be to confirm the annexation of Texas. More generally you can fight for the expansion of the United States in line with the ideals of "Manifest Destiny". With a Democratic majority in Congress, you will have wide latitude to implement your program, after four years of Tyler's paralysis. Best wishes for your term in office." *- from The Campaign Trail by Dan Bryan*

#### As Clay

"President Polk is sure to go through with the annexation of Texas. You can only hope it doesn't lead to war. Even if the U.S. is successful in the short-term, the acquisition of such territory is sure to reopen the slavery question in a way which may hurt the Whigs. As for your own fortunes, you have likely missed your last chance to become President. How will your legacy be remembered?" - *from The Campaign Trail by Dan Bryan*

### Clay victory

#### As Polk

"President Clay is sure to obstruct the annexation of Texas. Hopefully a new President can bring this to a better conclusion in four years. In the meantime, your voice may hold some influence, in an advisory capacity, with the Democratic majority in Congress. It is unlikely, however, that you will be nominated for President over the likes of Lewis Cass, James Buchanan, or others in 1848." *from The Campaign Trail by Dan Bryan*

#### As Clay

"Your first order of business will be to block the annexation of Texas, and hopefully to end the further discussion of this issue. Then you can concentrate on undoing the damage that Andrew Jackson and his followers have inflicted on the American System. Unfortunately, it appears that you will have to deal with a Democratic majority in Congress. Best wishes for these next four years." *from The Campaign Trail by Dan Bryan*

## Theme and banner

As it is a base scenario, there is no special theme/banner that loads when you play the scenario. However, the Wild West theme corresponds with this election, with the banner featuring candidates Polk and Clay, as well as Martin Van Buren and John Tyler, who were both significant in the election.

## Trivia

* Until the creation of the mod 1796, this was the earliest scenario to take place in the game
* This is the only Dan Bryan scenario with no playable Republican candidate
* There are two mod scenarios based off this election, 1844b, where John Tyler doesn't withdraw from the race, and 1844c, which focuses on Joseph Smith's run for president. 1844b, however, is currently not on any mod loader.
* It is impossible for James K. Polk to lose South Carolina, due to the electoral votes being awarded by the state legislature
* The scenario has been criticized by some for the difficulty of winning as Clay on normal mode and for most strategies involving flip-flopping to some degree.
* Creator Dan Bryan has listed this scenario as one of his favorites.

## Appearances and mentions

### People

* James K. Polk
* Henry Clay
* Amos Kendall
* Thurlow Weed
* George Dallas
* Levi Woodbury
* Theodore Frelinghuysen
* John Sergeant
* Millard Fillmore
* John Tyler
* Martin Van Buren
* Andrew Jackson
* Silas Wright
* Cassius Clay
* Robert Walker
* Joseph Smith
* John Calhoun
* Lewis Cass
* James Buchanan
* James G. Birney
* John Quincy Adams
* William Henry Harrison

### Issues and ideologies, events and voting blocs

* Texas annexation
* Abolitionism
* Tariffs
* Internal improvements
* Banking
* Southern states
* Northern states
* Oregon dispute
* Catholicism
* Moderates
* Expansionism
* Free trade
* Immigration
* Strict constructionism
* Protectionism
* American system
* Pro-slavery
* Independent Treasury
* National Bank
* Free banking
* Term limits
* Executive power
* Southern Democrats
* Mexico
* Personal conduct
* Anti-Catholicism
* Nativism
* Working class
* Irish-Americans
* Telegraph patent
* Radical politics
* Slavery
* Jacksonian democracy
* Rioting
* Bank War
* National currency
* Parliamentary sovereignty
* Manifest destiny
* Economics
* Limited government
* Patronage
* Killing of Joseph Smith
* Mormonism
* Gag rule
* Indian removal
* War
* Mexican-American War
* Flip-flopping
* Back-to-Africa movement
* Liberty Party
* Corrupt bargain
* Yankee Puritans
* War of 1812