Who was the Whig president that served during the Mexican-American War and was a Southern slaveholder?

Zachary Taylor was the Whig president who served during the Mexican-American War and was a Southern slaveholder. Taylor, a career military officer, gained prominence as a national hero for his role in various military conflicts, particularly the Mexican-American War, which took place between 1846 and 1848. His presidency began in March 1849 and ended with his death in July 1850.

Despite being a member of the Whig Party, which was generally less supportive of the expansion of slavery compared to the Democrats, Taylor himself was a slave owner from Louisiana. His administration faced significant pressures related to the territories gained from the war and the contentious issue of whether these territories would allow slavery. Taylor's own views were complex; at times, he sought to maintain a balance between the North and South regarding the issue of slavery in the new territories. His position on this issue was indicative of the growing sectional tensions in the United States leading up to the Civil War.

The other individuals listed were not presidents during the Mexican-American War or did not fit the description of being a Southern slaveholder at that time, making Zachary Taylor the correct response to the question.