30th United States Congress
The 30th Congress of the United States , made up of the House and Senate , was the legislature of the United States . Its legislative period lasted from March 4, 1847 to March 4, 1849. All members of the House of Representatives and a third of the senators ( Class II ) were elected in the 1846 congressional elections. The Democratic Party won a majority in the Senate, while the Whig Party had a majority in the House of Representatives. The congress met in the American capital Washington, DC At that time the United States consisted of 29 states. Wisconsin was added as the 30th state during the legislature . President was the Democrat James K. Polk . The distribution of seats in the House of Representatives was based on the 1840 census .
Important events
- March 4, 1847: beginning of the legislative period of the 30th Congress
- The Indian wars continue throughout the legislative period . The Mexican-American War lasted until February 1848 .
- July 1, 1847: The first postage stamps are issued in the United States.
- January 24, 1848: The Californian gold rush begins with a gold discovery .
- January 31, 1848: Start of construction work on the Washington Monument (completed after interruptions in 1884)
- February 2, 1848: The Mexican-American War ends with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo . The United States is gaining a significant increase in its national territory. The affiliation of Texas to the USA is recognized by Mexico and the Texas border is moved to the Rio Grande. The United States gains the entire area between the Rocky Mountains and the Pacific coast: today's states of California , Arizona , New Mexico , Utah , Nevada , Texas and part of Colorado and Wyoming .
- May 29, 1848: Wisconsin becomes the 30th US state.
- July 19, 1848: The women's rights movement holds its first major gathering in Seneca Falls, New York State .
- August 14, 1848: Oregon Territory founded .
- November 7, 1848: US presidential and congressional elections. Zachary Taylor of the Whig Party becomes new president (in office March 5, 1849). In the congressional elections, the Democrats win a majority in both chambers.
- March 3, 1849: Creation of the Minnesota Territory .
The main laws
During the session of the 30th Congress, the following federal laws were passed ( see also: Legislative procedure ):
- March 3, 1849: United States Department of the Interior Act
- March 3, 1849: Gold Coinage Act: The law allows the minting of certain gold coins that come into circulation as a means of payment.
Composition according to parties
senate
- Democratic Party: 36
- Whig Party: 23
- Others: 1
- Vacant: 0
Total: 60 at the end of the legislative period
House of Representatives
- Democratic Party: 110
- Whig Party: 115
- Others: 5
- Vacant: 0
Total: 230 at the end of the legislative period
There was also a congress delegate who was not entitled to vote
Public officials
senate
House of Representatives
Senate members
The following senators represented their respective states in the 30th Congress:
Members of the House of Representatives
The following congressmen represented the interests of their respective states in the 30th Congress:
Members of the House of Representatives who are not entitled to vote:
- Wisconsin Territory : John Hubbard Tweedy (D) until May 29, 1848 then Henry Hastings Sibley (D)
Web links
- bioguide.congress.gov (by entering 30 under Year OR Congress: you get a list of the members of the 30th Congress with a link to the official biographies; English)
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