Zachary Taylor facts for kids

Zachary Taylor Facts For Kids -  social studies skills studied in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th grades.

Zachary Taylor, The12th President of the USA

A career officer in the United States Army and later a Major General, Zachary Taylor, the 12th US President rose to the presidency from the state of Louisiana. Mr. Taylor hails from a planter family, quite prominent in that part of the States. In 1808, he became an officer in the US Army and became an eminent figure once the War happened in 1812.
In the extremely known Mexican-American war in 1846, which happened over the disputed borders of Texas and Mexico, Taylor was a major game-changer and defeated the Mexican side. Much to his glory, he led his battalion out of Texas. Battles of Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, and the Battle of Monterrey happen to be the series of significant wars that changed the entire socio-political space of the United States. Zachary Taylor remained one extremely significant point in all these battles; his popularity was indisputable.
In spite of his consistent feats in the Military space, leading such great number battles to victory, Taylor was reluctant and lacked any significant interest in politics. The then Whig Party, in spite of that fact, persuaded him to contest with their tickets. He won elections with flying colors after defeating Lewis Cass and William Orlando Butler, the Democrat candidates. During his presidential term, Taylor always maintained a distance from Congress, as well as his cabinet. Zachary was one stern leader. He led his nation in one of the most critical times; debates on slavery and southern secession was still on, people were largely undecided and lacked any common goal. But Zachary stood tall in that crisis period; he was truly one of the greatest American war heroes of all time. Continue reading below>>>

It’s not that Taylor was strongly against the Native Americans. But still, he made it a point to fight them in his military career. In spite of fighting them, he wanted very much to protect the Native Americans’ lands from the grips of the white settlers, who wanted to occupy it all. He firmly believed, a strong military presence and rule can be the only solution to this problem. And as per his faith and thoughts, he took the necessary military, as well as political steps to curb that issue and take things in the favor of the indigenous people.
Zachary rose to the presidency by contesting from the Whig Party. But in his mind, he was more of an independent political thinker; in that case he can well be rendered as a Nationalist. His impressive military achievements and records made him hugely popular with the Northerners; whereas the Southerners preferred him for owning slaves. During his presidential stint, Taylor was in the middle of the fiery debates on slavery. He preferred the anti-slavery approach. He very well knew that both the residents of California and New Mexico would prefer the anti-slavery mechanism. Therefore, he actually urged them to write constitutions. He also wanted both these provinces to apply for statehood, so that they could take some positive approach towards solving this slavery issue.
Serving his tenure as a president for 16 months, Zachary died suddenly, leaving most of his dreams and actions that he thought of for the betterment of the American society, unfinished.
Even now, the twelfth American President, the War Hero is celebrated in the American history with a lot of vigor.