Zachary Taylor: The Slave-Owning President who stopped the Spread of Slavery and Saved the Union — Market Mad House

America’s strangest chief executive was its 12th President Zachary Taylor (W-Louisiana).

To explain, Taylor, a Southern slave-owner, kept slavery out of the West. In the process, Taylor possibly saved the United States from collapse.

Strangely, Taylor, who owned 100 slaves, worked hard to bring California, Utah, and New Mexico into the Union as free states. Thus, Taylor kept slavery from spreading to the Pacific.

“Old Rough and Ready”

Zachary Taylor was the first career military man to serve as President of the United States.

Taylor spent 40 years in the Regular Army rising to the rank of Major General during the Mexican War. General Taylor was a controversial but successful soldier.

For instance, Taylor was a slob who dressed in casual civilian clothes rather than uniforms. However, Taylor was an efficient officer and an aggressive field commander. Thus, the odd nickname “Old Rough and Ready.”

Taylor became a national hero by defeating the Mexican Army at the battle of Buena Vista on 4 July 1847. The Battle ensured U.S. victory in the Mexican war and enabled the American occupation of…