In the 1852 presidential election, who was the winning candidate?

The winning candidate of the 1852 presidential election was Franklin Pierce, who was a Democrat. His victory marked a significant moment in American politics as it highlighted the fractures within the Whig Party and the growing tensions surrounding the issue of slavery. Pierce ran on a platform that supported the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which aimed to allow new territories to decide on the legality of slavery through popular sovereignty.

Pierce's presidency began with a focus on expanding the nation and promoting territorial growth, which was a reflection of the broader national sentiment at the time. His administration, however, faced criticism for its handling of issues concerning slavery and its consequences, contributing to the political turmoil leading up to the Civil War. The election was primarily a contest between Pierce and the Whig candidate, Winfield Scott, against a backdrop of increasing sectional conflict in the United States.