James Buchan Increasing Sectional Tensions Leading To The Civil War

The period from 1789 to 1877 in American history saw the leadership of numerous presidents, each contributing in many ways to the shaping of the nation. However, among these presidents, James Buchanan stands out as the worst due to his failure to address the increasing sectional tensions that led to the Civil War. His poor leadership and inability to unite a divided nation further increased the country’s troubles. Buchanan’s presidency, which lasted from 1857 to 1861, is often criticized for its numerous policy failures and poor handling of crucial national issues. His lack of decisive action and ineffective governance played a significant role in pushing the nation towards its most devastating conflict. One of the primary reasons Buchanan
Buchanan’s pro-Southern stance and his support for the Dred Scott decision in 1857, which declared that Congress had no authority to forbid slavery in the territories, further inflamed the already tense situation. According to The White House website, “Buchanan decided to end the troubles in Kansas by urging the admission of the territory as a slave state. Although he directed his Presidential authority to this goal, he further angered the Republicans and alienated members of his own party. Kansas remained a territory.” As president, Buchanan had to face a difficult and very unstable situation. “The nation needed a strong personality to lead it, and Buchanan did not possess this trait. The violence in Kansas demonstrated that applying popular sovereignty—the democratic principle of majority rule—to the territory offered no solution to the national battle over slavery” (OpenStax U.S. History Textbook 406). In addition to his failure to address local worries, Buchanan’s poor communication skills and strained connections with Congress further weakened his
The Panic of 1857, a financial crisis that resulted in widespread economic distress, occurred under his watch. Buchanan’s response was overall not helpful, as he failed to provide significant relief or support for those affected. This lack of economic leadership further damaged his reputation and stability of the nation. His firm agreement to the idea that the federal government should not interfere with slavery prevented him from seeking or accepting potential solutions that might have eased tensions. This inflexibility was a critical factor in his failure to prevent the outbreak of the Civil War. In the podcast Backstory 1865, it is stated, “If we think of Appomattox not as an ending, but as a beginning, suddenly there are multiple competing story lines.” This highlights the multiple competing storylines and uncertainties that Buchanan’s failures aggravated. Buchanan’s inability to handle the sectional crisis effectively and his failure to address the crucial issues of his time proves his incompetence as a leader. The White House website says “Buchanan grasped inadequately the political realities of the