The Dred Scott v. Sandford decision (1857)
Supreme Court ruling, which he had quietly encouraged, that Black Americans were not citizens and Congress could not ban slavery in the territories
US Presidents · 19th century
James Buchanan
1791–1868 · American
Democratic
In office: 1857–1861
James Buchanan, the 15th president, was a veteran diplomat and Secretary of State who took office as sectional conflict over slavery deepened. He backed the Dred Scott decision and the pro-slavery Lecompton Constitution for Kansas, and after Lincoln's election he failed to stop seven Southern states seceding. He is usually ranked among the worst presidents.
How to spot them
- ▸The only lifelong bachelor president; his niece Harriet Lane acted as White House hostess
- ▸The only president elected from Pennsylvania (his home state); home at Wheatland, near Lancaster
- ▸Dred Scott decision (1857), two days after his inauguration
- ▸Seven states seceded before he left office in March 1861
In office
Support for the Lecompton Constitution in Kansas (1857–1858)
Backed a pro-slavery constitution for Kansas, splitting the Democratic Party
The Panic of 1857 (1857)
Financial crisis early in his term
The Utah War against the Mormons (1857–1858)
Sent federal troops to Utah Territory to replace Brigham Young as governor
Exchange of messages with Queen Victoria over the first transatlantic telegraph cable (1858)
The short-lived cable failed within weeks
Secession of the Deep South states (1860–1861)
Declared secession illegal but also held that he had no power to prevent it
Quick-fire facts
- •Born in a log cabin at Cove Gap, Pennsylvania, in 1791; the last president born in the 18th century
- •Served as Minister to Russia, Secretary of State under Polk and Minister to Great Britain
- •As Minister to Britain he co-signed the Ostend Manifesto (1854) on acquiring Cuba
- •John Brown's raid on Harpers Ferry took place in 1859, during his presidency
- •His close friendship with Alabama senator William Rufus King has attracted much speculation
Drill it — 6 cards
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Sources
- Miller Center, University of Virginia — James Buchanan