James Buchanan ~ 15th President March 4th 1857-March 4th 1861

Early Life: James Buchanan was born on April 23, 1791 in Cove Gap, Pennsylvania. His father, James Sr., was a well-to-do merchant and farmer, and his mother, Elizabeth, was intelligent and well-read. He had 10 siblings, Jane, William, Elizabeth, George, Edward, Harriet, Mary, Sarah, John, and Maria Buchanan.
Education: The younger Buchanan graduated from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and then studied law. James Buchanan got his young education at Old Stone Academy in his village. He attended Dickinson College which is a private college located in Carlisle, Pennsylvania where he graduated in 1809. He moved to lancaster where he studied law after college.
Buchanan was a lawyer before his four years of presidency. After his term he was a writer.
He wanted states to choose if slavery was legal. He also wanted the states to vote and decide on territory.During his tenure, seven Southern states seceded from the Union and the nation teetered on the brink of civil war. As president, he tried to maintain peace between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions in the government, but tensions only escalated.
Buchanan asserted that states did not have the right to secede; however, he also believed he had no constitutional power to stop them.
James Buchanan raised pygmy goats in his spare time: Famous Quote: ‘’The test of leadership is not to put greatness into humanity, but to elicit it, for the greatness is already there.’’

Credits:

Created with images by cliff1066™ - "James Buchanan, Fifteenth President (1857-1861)"

Made with Adobe Slate

Make your words and images move.

Get Slate

Report Abuse

If you feel that this video content violates the Adobe Terms of Use, you may report this content by filling out this quick form.

To report a Copyright Violation, please follow Section 17 in the Terms of Use.