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James Buchanan Born April 23, 1791-- Died June 1, 1868 Political Party: Democrat Dates of Term: March 4, 1857—March 3, 1861 Vice President by Term: John Cabell Breckinridge (1857-1875) Rating of President: D   Theme: American Identity

James Buchanan was a man of many faces, opinions, and issues. Due to his substantial lack of interest in the United States, he tore the Union apart and sat back and watched. A man who claims to be firmly affiliated with the Constitution lacked the audacity to take charge of a nation that was going down hill. It becomes clear that while Buchanan didn’t really contribute toward the American Identity per say, he indirectly manifested the creation of America. See, when the United States split and the Confederate States were born, a whole new essence graced the continent. For while the two new “nations” spilt, they could not get away from each other. Sure, Buchanan was good for nothing to say the least, but he did teach America a lesson that working together as a nation is better than war (many years later, indirect approach). It is safe to say that sure Buchanan contributed a little bit toward the American Identity, this tiny amount cannot out weight the huge burden of tearing the United States apart.

Sure, James Buchanan tried to make Kansas into a slave state, but when you face reality, you realize that that was a vendetta not for the Union but for the South. A president that contributes toward the American Identity should remain partial when it comes to issues like the Union being torn into two. Although Buchanan was a Northern Democrat, he seemed to be for the South on a lot of issues. This is shocking because he claims that on all of the issues he stands on (he doesn’t like slavery, but the constitution doesn’t allow me to get involved) is rubbish. It seems that he was purposefully trying to destroy the land of the free. It does not make sense that a president that is sworn into office, to protect the land can just sit back and watch it go to pieces. The United States benefited a small percentage from the Civil War and succession, but not enough to make up for the many casualties, money lost, and the list goes on and on. It can be concluded that yes, James Buchanan’s ignorance and laziness was a cause to the Civil War, and the fact that it was a learning experience for the United States in order to develop as a whole.

James Buchanan’s presidency was one that the United States would never forget. Based on the events and decisions that occurred during Buchanan’s presidency he deserves a rating of D due to his effortless attempts to keep the Union together, inattentive awareness of causes to the war that would separate the nation, and his political positions that were put in the shadow due to his lack of knowledge regarding the Constitution and its components in terms of various issues. James Buchanan made very few feverish attempts to make up for major issues that occurred before the Civil War.

President James Buchanan had a few goals that would be obtainable from a president that actually did his job, however, it seemed as though Buchanan didn’t know how to go about obtaining these goals. His Inaugural Address had the theme of slavery woven throughout the documentation. He made it clear that slavery in the states were beyond a personal vendetta, but rather a states’ decision with the help of popular sovereignty. He also wanted to admit Kansas into the Union as a slave state. It doesn’t make sense that Buchanan would be morally opposed to slavery but took huge strides in the direction toward slavery. He claims that slavery was protected in the Constitution and he should protect it by any means. It just doesn’t add up. Also, Buchanan failed to admit Kansas as a slave state because the Lecompton Constitution that would allow Kansas to be admitted as a slave state was never passed. It actually became a free state. Buchanan failed this goal. It doesn’t stop here however; Buchanan said that slavery was a state issue and not a personal vendetta. Someone decided that it was a personal vendetta by the name of John Brown. Brown was a hardcore abolitionist and went to extreme measures to drive his point into people. This happened at his Raid on Harper Ferry. Sure, Buchanan did not cause Brown’s actions, but Buchanan didn’t want people fighting over the issue of slavery and look what happened. It is fair to say that Buchanan failed miserably in obtaining his goals. Supposedly, someone could make the case that Buchanan wanted Kansas admitted into the Union, but the fact that it was admitted as a free state and not a slave state refutes the argument.

James Buchanan went down in history but not in a good way in any retrospect. Buchanan tried to have a stable relationship with Congress, however they didn’t want one with him. During Buchanan’s presidency, the majority party was Democrats in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The average person would think that if Buchanan’s party was in power in Congress, he would be able to accomplish a lot. Well not in this case whatsoever. Buchanan and Congress had a terrible relationship. For example, Buchanan wanted to pass the Lecompton Constitution, which would allow Kansas to enter the Union as a slave state. The funny part is that not only did Republicans deny the bill, but so did Northern Democrats. It proves that no one was in favor of Buchanan. Yes, Buchanan took the initiative to try and get a new state admitted, however, it was poorly executed. Buchanan also used a veto drafted by Congress regarding the Homestead Act. The Homestead Act was a plan to sell a fair amount of land for a cheap price. Concluding, in terms of Congress, Buchanan did not accomplish a lot at all.

During Buchanan’s presidency it is hard to find something positive that happened. The only way to truly know a positive aspect of his presidency would be to look at different section’s point of view and perspective. In terms of the South, they were absolutely thrilled that Buchanan didn’t even put up a fight when it came to succession. Buchanan felt as though he had no power to stop the South from succeeding, so he decided to sit back and watch. It is fair to say that the South was very pleased at Buchanan’s decision. Another thing that happened during Buchanan's presidency was the development of the pony express. The Pony Express connected the U.S. together from west to east. This development was important, but didn't justify Buchanan's negative actions. It really is difficult to determine why Buchanan didn't do anything positive. He was an average joe guy who should have never been president. He didn't really accomplish anything positive.

While James Buchanan was not known for his positive components of his presidency, he is widely known as the president with many negative outcomes. One of the main issues that he seemed to dwell on was the admittance of Kansas as a slave state into the Union. This action, which not only caused many riots and disagreements, it literally tore the Democratic Party apart. You had Northern Democrats freaking out, Southern Democrats cheering; it was a mess. Obviously, opposite from the South’s opinion, Buchanan let the South succeed. This was a poor choice simply because when the South separated itself, the overall aura of the U.S. shifted. The Civil War followed, etc …etc. The Panic of 1857 also occurred during Buchanan’s presidency. Adding insult to injury, the Panic was caused by over expanding railroads, state banks growing, the drop of the price of gold, and the cutting back of U.S. imports from foreign nations (DeGregorio 220). The Panic deeply affected the North and West, while the South got off easy. The South was barely hit at all with the Panic. But adding on to that, Buchanan made no attempts to relieve that pain that was set forth from the Panic. The absolute worst thing that Buchanan did was allowing the South to succeed. While this was the worst, it couldn’t be must worse than the fact that he didn’t bother confronting the South because he was afraid it would lead to a Civil War. It is pretty peculiar that he was afraid that intervention would lead into a Civil War, however, what happened at the very end of his presidency? Imagine that, a Civil War. It is predictable that Buchanan felt obligated to allow the South to succeed because it was toward the end his presidency, he began tuning out, and really felt that he shouldn’t do anything. Yes, it has been discovered that he claims the lack of intervention based on Constitutional grounds. It was scandalous of Buchanan’s lack of interest in preserving the United States.

James Buchanan affected many presidents to come. The decision that really launched off to influence future presidents would be allowed the South to succeed. Because he made this decision, he caused a heck of a presidency for Old Honest Abe, and definitely affected the lives many Americans. Since Buchanan was pretty much the last match to ignite the fire that was the Civil War, thousands died because of his effortless presidency. Honestly, it would make sense that he was the last straw of causes in terms of the Civil War. As mentioned, Americans were deeply affected because of Buchanan. Thousands of lives were lost in the Civil War. His influence of Lincoln was present during Lincoln’s presidency. Lincoln was the one who had to straddle through the raging war.

In conclusion, James Buchanan pretty much screwed the United States over. It would make sense that no one would care (except maybe the Southerners) if he wasn’t president. He doomed the country in multiple degrees ranging from sectional succession to a depression. Because of his lack of interest, James Buchanan received a grade of a D because he did a horrible job as president and really ruined the United States. He dismantled the Democratic Party, promoted Slavery, wanted to admit Kansas into the Union as a slave state, and was president during a Panic. Not with the best track record, he still managed some sanity, which is why he did not fail. Also, he didn’t fail because some of his arguments regarding the Constitution were valid (to an extent). He tried (well not really) to manage the Union but did a horrible job at it. Sure, he was president, but the U.S. could have done without him.

Works Cited Cooper, William. "American President: James Buchanan." //Miller Center//. University of Virginia, 2011. Web. 15 Oct. 2011. .

DeGregorio, William A. //The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents//. Fort Lee, NJ: Barricade, 2005. Print.

"James Buchanan." //The White House//. The White House, 2011. Web. 13 Oct. 2011. .

"James Buchanan." //Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia//. Wikipedia Foundation, 20 Oct. 2011. Web. 15 Oct. 2011. .

Whitney, David C., and Robin Vaughn. Whitney. //The American Presidents//. 9th ed. Pleasantville, NY: Reader's Digest Association, 2001. Print.