1848 United States presidential election

Presidential elections were held in the United States on November 7, 1848 in the aftermath of the Mexican–American War. General Zachary Taylor of the Whig Party defeated Senator Lewis Cass of the Democratic Party.

Despite his unclear political alignment and Whig opposition to the Mexican–American War in which Taylor had led American forces to victory, the 1848 Whig National Convention nominated the popular general over party stalwarts Henry Clay and Daniel Webster. For vice president, the Whigs nominated Millard Fillmore from New York, known for moderate views on slavery. Incumbent President James K. Polk, a Democrat, refused to seek re-election. The 1848 Democratic National Convention nominated Senator Lewis Cass of Michigan after former President Martin Van Buren withdrew his bid for a third and nonconsecutive nomination over a platform dispute. Van Buren, from New York, instead broke from the Democratic Party to win the nomination of the Free Soil Party, which opposed the extension of slavery into the territories.

The Democrats had a record of prosperity and had acquired vast lands including Texas, the Mexican Cession, and the southern portion of the Oregon Country. They appeared certain to win unless the Whigs masked their prior opposition to the successful war by nominating Taylor. Taylor won a popular plurality and an electoral majority, while Van Buren won 10.1% of the popular vote, a strong showing for a third party candidate.

Taylor was the second Whig to win a Presidential election, following fellow general William Henry Harrison's victory in 1840. Like Harrison, Taylor died in office, and was succeeded by Fillmore.