PRESIDENTS UP TO 1865
TOPIC 32; PRESIDENTS 12-16
12. ZACHARY TAYLOR (1849-1850)
• Whig Party – but didn’t
want to run and said he
did it without Whig
financial support.
• “Old rough and ready”
from the Mexican War –
the general that beat
Santa Anna.
• Believed each state
should decide it’s slavery
status.
• Died in office – cholera
from cherries and milk
• President for just over a
year, so no major
accomplishments.
13. MILLARD FILLMORE (1850-1853)
• Was Taylor’s VP.
• Family were poor
farmers from NY.
• Helped develop NY
public school system
after becoming a
lawyer.
• Important events:
• Compromise of 1850
• Western Territory debates
• Uncle Tom’s Cabin
released.
• Sent Commodore Perry to
Japan to establish trade.
• Whigs didn’t select him
in 1852.
14. FRANKLIN PIERCE (1853-57)
• Democrat
• Served in the Mexican
War.
• Won the nomination in
1852 because after 35
votes, no nominee had
been selected!
• Wife hated Washington
• All three sons died, the
last in a railroad
accident just before he
moved to DC.
• Important Events:
• Gadsen Purchase
• Kansas-Nebraska Act
15. JAMES BUCHANAN (1857-1861)
• Democrat – only
suitable candidate for
1856.
• Expelled from college
for bad conduct, later
allowed to return.
• Never married.
• His niece served as
hostess.
• Important Events:
• Dred Scott decision
• Slavery debates
• Secession
ABRAHAM LINCOLN IS ELECTED PRESIDENT
• Republican Party ran
Abraham Lincoln from
Illinois.
• Democrat Party split:
• Northern – Stephen
Douglas
• Southern – John
Breckinridge
• Constitutional Union
Party - John Bell
THE ELECTORAL MAP –
ELECTION OF 1860.
STATES SECEDE FROM THE UNION
• Many in the south are
afraid that Lincoln
would abolish slavery
(even though he said
he wouldn’t)
• South Carolina
secedes first – Dec. 20,
1860
• Next 6 weeks–
Mississippi, Florida,
Alabama, Georgia,
Louisiana and Texas.
• Then, Arkansas,
Tennessee, North
Carolina and Virginia.
16. ABRAHAM LINCOLN (1861-65)
• First Republican
President
• From Illinois
• Important events:
• Civil War
• Emancipation
Proclamation
• First President
assassinated.