T O P I C 3 2 ; P R E S I D E N T S 1 2 - 1 6

PRESIDENTS UP TO 1865

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.