Presidential Biographies | Fillmore Administration - Fillmore Becomes President

The Millard Fillmore Administration

Brought to the White House by the death of his predecessor, Zachary Taylor, Millard Fillmore suddenly had to face the slavery issue as president. He conscientiously sought to avert civil war by strongly supporting the Compromise of 1850. Believing that the United States should become more involved in Asia, he authorized Commodore Matthew C. Perry's famous voyage to Japan.

Fillmore Becomes President

Campaign of 1848

In 1848 the Whigs nominated Zachary Taylor for president. The Taylor camp's choice for vice president was Abbott Lawrence, a Massachusetts textile manufacturer. However, on the second ballot Millard Fillmore, backed by several delegates who had supported Kentucky senator Henry Clay's bid for the top spot on the ticket, won the vice...