#15 – James Buchanan#15 – James Buchanan

#15 - James Buchanan#15 - James Buchanan• Born: April 23, 1791Born: April 23, 1791• Birthplace: Cove Gap, Birthplace: Cove Gap,

PennsylvaniaPennsylvania• Political Party: Political Party:

DemocratDemocrat• Term: 1857-61Term: 1857-61• Vice President: John Vice President: John

C. BreckinridgeC. Breckinridge• Died: June 1, 1868Died: June 1, 1868

#15 - James Buchanan#15 - James Buchanan• Attended an Academy at a young Attended an Academy at a young

age.age.• 1809: At 18 he graduated from 1809: At 18 he graduated from

Dickinson College.Dickinson College.• Studied law . Began his law Studied law . Began his law

practice in 1813. (lawyer)practice in 1813. (lawyer)• 1812: Volunteered in the War of 1812: Volunteered in the War of

1812. He helped defend Baltimore 1812. He helped defend Baltimore from the English invasion.from the English invasion.

#15 - James Buchanan#15 - James Buchanan• 1814-16: Elected to the 1814-16: Elected to the

Pennsylvania House of Pennsylvania House of Representatives.Representatives.

• 1819: engaged to Ann Coleman, 1819: engaged to Ann Coleman, however, they had a however, they had a misunderstanding. She then later misunderstanding. She then later died that year and he never died that year and he never remarried again.remarried again.

• 1821-31: Elected to the U.S. House 1821-31: Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.of Representatives.

#15 - James Buchanan#15 - James Buchanan• 1832-34: Appointed minister to 1832-34: Appointed minister to

Russia by Andrew Jackson.Russia by Andrew Jackson.• 1834-45: U.S. Senator from 1834-45: U.S. Senator from

Pennsylvania.Pennsylvania.• 1845-49: Appointed Secretary of 1845-49: Appointed Secretary of

State under President Polk.State under President Polk.• 1852: Tried to run for President 1852: Tried to run for President

but Franklin Pierce won.but Franklin Pierce won.• 1853-56: Appointed minister to 1853-56: Appointed minister to

Great Britain by Franklin Pierce.Great Britain by Franklin Pierce.

#15 - James Buchanan#15 - James Buchanan• 1857-61: Elected 1857-61: Elected

1515thth President of the President of the United States.United States.

• 1857: Dred Scott 1857: Dred Scott Decision – Congress Decision – Congress had no power over had no power over slavery. Slaves are slavery. Slaves are seen as property.seen as property.

#15 - James Buchanan#15 - James Buchanan• 1859: John Brown’s Raid at 1859: John Brown’s Raid at

Harpers Ferry. John Brown was Harpers Ferry. John Brown was executed – seen as a martyr for executed – seen as a martyr for slavery.slavery.

#15 - James Buchanan#15 - James Buchanan• He tried to run for re-election. He tried to run for re-election.

However, Democrats split (North However, Democrats split (North and South) and the Republican and South) and the Republican party wins the election.party wins the election.

• 1861: Lincoln elected. Civil War 1861: Lincoln elected. Civil War begins.begins.

• June 1, 1868: Dies in Wheatland, June 1, 1868: Dies in Wheatland, PA.PA.

#15 - James Buchanan#15 - James Buchanan• Interesting Facts:Interesting Facts:• 1857: Dred Scott Decision1857: Dred Scott Decision• 1858: Atlantic cable completed.1858: Atlantic cable completed.• 1859: John Brown’s raid at harpers 1859: John Brown’s raid at harpers

Ferry.Ferry.• 1860: South Carolina secedes.1860: South Carolina secedes.• Inventions:Inventions:• 1860: repeating rifle (Winchester – 1860: repeating rifle (Winchester –

U.S.)U.S.)• 1861: machine gun (Gatling Gun) – 1861: machine gun (Gatling Gun) –

Gatling – U.S.Gatling – U.S.

#15 - James Buchanan#15 - James Buchanan• States admitted:States admitted:• 1858: Minnesota1858: Minnesota• 1859: Oregon1859: Oregon• 1861: Kansas1861: Kansas