#15 – James Buchanan
#15 - James Buchanan
• Born: April 23, 1791
• Birthplace: Cove
Gap, Pennsylvania
• Political Party:
Democrat
• Term: 1857-61
• Vice President:
John C. Breckinridge
• Died: June 1, 1868
#15 - James Buchanan
• Attended an Academy at a
young age.
• 1809: At 18 he graduated from
Dickinson College.
• Studied law . Began his law
practice in 1813. (lawyer)
• 1812: Volunteered in the War of
1812. He helped defend
Baltimore from the English
invasion.
#15 - James Buchanan
• 1814-16: Elected to the
Pennsylvania House of
Representatives.
• 1819: engaged to Ann Coleman,
however, they had a
misunderstanding. She then
later died that year and he never
remarried again.
• 1821-31: Elected to the U.S.
House of Representatives.
#15 - James Buchanan
• 1832-34: Appointed minister to
Russia by Andrew Jackson.
• 1834-45: U.S. Senator from
Pennsylvania.
• 1845-49: Appointed Secretary of
State under President Polk.
• 1852: Tried to run for President
but Franklin Pierce won.
• 1853-56: Appointed minister to
Great Britain by Franklin Pierce.
#15 - James Buchanan
• 1857-61: Elected
15th President of
the United States.
• 1857: Dred Scott
Decision –
Congress had no
power over slavery.
Slaves are seen as
property.
#15 - James Buchanan
• 1859: John Brown’s Raid at
Harpers Ferry. John Brown was
executed – seen as a martyr for
slavery.
#15 - James Buchanan
• He tried to run for re-election.
However, Democrats split (North
and South) and the Republican
party wins the election.
• 1861: Lincoln elected. Civil War
begins.
• June 1, 1868: Dies in
Wheatland, PA.
#15 - James Buchanan
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Interesting Facts:
1857: Dred Scott Decision
1858: Atlantic cable completed.
1859: John Brown’s raid at
harpers Ferry.
1860: South Carolina secedes.
Inventions:
1860: repeating rifle
(Winchester – U.S.)
1861: machine gun (Gatling
Gun) – Gatling – U.S.
#15 - James Buchanan
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States admitted:
1858: Minnesota
1859: Oregon
1861: Kansas