• "Marriage of the Free Soil and Liberty Parties," 1848

    "Marriage of the Free Soil and Liberty Parties," 1848

    This political cartoon shows the merging of the Free Soil and the Liberty Parties in 1848.
    Courtesy of Library of Congress, "Marriage of the Free Soil and Liberty Parties," 1848

    Description

    This political cartoon shows the alliance created by the Free Soil and Liberty Parties for the election of 1848. Martin Van Buren, the champion of the Free Soil Party, is shown marrying an African-American woman. The ceremony is presided over by Benjamin Butler, an ally of Van Buren's. Van Buren is shown being pushed toward the ceremony by Horace Greeley, an influential newspaper editor and abolitionist. 

    Transcript of "Marriage of the Free Soul and Liberty Parties"

    Source-Dependent Questions

    • What do the names of the two political parties depicted in this cartoon imply about the reasons for their formation as individual parties?
    • Based on your knowledge of political parties in the United States, what issue led to the merging of these political parties?
    • As you observe this cartoon, what stands out to you the most? What did the cartoonist do to lead your eye to that object?

    Citation Information 

    "Marriage of the Free Soil and Liberty Parties," 1848. Courtesy of Library of Congress

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