The Divisive Presidency of James Buchanan: Underestimating Northern Opposition and Bungling the Response to the Kansas Slavery Debate

Historians consistently rank James Buchanan as one of the worst U.S. presidents, and for good reason. When Buchanan gave his inaugural address in 1857, he optimistically believed that the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Dred Scott case would settle the debate over slavery in the United States. However, his underestimation of northern opposition to the decision, his bungled response to the Kansas slavery debate, and his failure to effectively address secession in the south all contributed to his legacy as a failed leader.

Buchanan, a Democrat from Pennsylvania, was often criticized as a “doughface” for his sympathetic views towards southern slaveholders. His personal relationships with southerners shaped his presidency, leading him to at times take no side on slavery and at other times explicitly side with slaveholders. This lack of consistency and understanding of popular opinion in the north ultimately fueled divisions within the country and his own party.

One of Buchanan’s major missteps was his response to the Kansas slavery debate, where he failed to anticipate the continued controversy over the expansion of slavery into western territories. The violent clashes in Kansas between pro-slavery and anti-slavery factions highlighted the deep divisions within the country. Buchanan’s support for the pro-slavery Lecompton Constitution further exacerbated tensions and split the Democratic party, ultimately leading to the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860.

As secession began to unfold in the south during the final months of Buchanan’s presidency, he struggled to effectively address the crisis. While he believed that the seceding states did not have the right to leave the Union, he also hesitated to use military force to prevent secession. This inaction and indecisiveness drew criticism from both sides and ultimately set the stage for the Civil War.

In the end, Buchanan’s presidency was marked by a series of failures and missteps that only served to deepen the divisions within the country and pave the way for the bloodiest conflict in American history. As historians reflect on his legacy, they agree that Buchanan was not the right man to lead the country during such tumultuous times.