James Buchanan 15th President of the United States, Democrat Date of Birth: 23.04.1791 Country: USA

James Buchanan - The 15th President of the United States

James Buchanan was born in Cove Gap, Pennsylvania in 1791. After graduating from law school in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1812, he began practicing as a lawyer. However, with the onset of the War of 1812, Buchanan joined the militia and served in the defense of Baltimore.

From 1821 to 1831, Buchanan represented his home state in the United States House of Representatives. In 1832, President Jackson appointed him as a minister to Russia. After two years, he returned to the United States and was elected to the Senate, where he served until 1844. During his time in the Senate, Buchanan chaired the Committee on Foreign Relations.

In 1845, President James Polk invited Buchanan to join his administration as Secretary of State. In June 1846, Buchanan signed the Oregon Treaty with Great Britain. From 1853 to 1856, he served as the ambassador to the United Kingdom. He returned home to run for president and won the election in 1856.

During his presidency, Buchanan faced the issue of the expansion of slavery into new territories of the United States. Despite being personally against slavery, Buchanan failed (or chose not to) make a definitive decision on its fate. When Abraham Lincoln, a northerner, won the next presidential election and it became clear that secession of the southern states was inevitable, President Buchanan made a ill-advised move. He persuaded several influential northerners to charter the civilian vessel "Star of the West." The ship was loaded with weapons and headed to Fort Sumter. The contents of its hold soon became known to the southerners, who forced the ship to return to New York after firing at it on January 9, 1861, off the coast of Carolina. The first shots of the impending Civil War were fired.

After the end of his presidency, Buchanan retired to his estate near Lancaster, where he passed away in 1868.