U.S. Presidents

A Detailed Timeline of James Buchanan’s Presidency

James Buchanan, the 15th President of the United States, served from March 4, 1857, to March 4, 1861. His presidency is often criticized for his inability to address the escalating sectional tensions that ultimately led to the American Civil War. This article provides a detailed timeline of Buchanan’s presidency, highlighting key dates and events that defined his time in office.

Inauguration and Early Months: March 1857

  • March 4, 1857: James Buchanan is inaugurated as the 15th President of the United States. In his inaugural address, he expresses hope that the contentious issue of slavery will soon be resolved by the Supreme Court, specifically referencing the forthcoming Dred Scott decision.
  • March 6, 1857: The Supreme Court delivers the Dred Scott decision, ruling that African Americans are not citizens and that Congress has no authority to prohibit slavery in the territories. Buchanan supports the decision, believing it will settle the slavery issue, but it instead intensifies sectional tensions.

Bleeding Kansas and Sectional Strife: 1857

  • June 1857: Buchanan appoints Robert J. Walker as governor of Kansas Territory. Walker is tasked with ensuring the fair election of a territorial legislature and a constitution that will determine whether Kansas will enter the Union as a free or slave state.
  • October 1857: The Lecompton Constitution, a pro-slavery document, is drafted in Kansas amidst widespread fraud and boycotts by anti-slavery settlers. Buchanan supports the Lecompton Constitution, believing it reflects the will of the people, despite evidence of electoral irregularities.
  • December 1857: Buchanan submits the Lecompton Constitution to Congress, sparking fierce debate. Northern Democrats, led by Stephen A. Douglas, oppose the constitution, arguing it does not represent the will of Kansas settlers. The conflict further splits the Democratic Party along sectional lines.

Economic Turmoil: Panic of 1857

  • August 24, 1857: The Panic of 1857 begins with the collapse of the Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Company. The financial panic triggers a severe economic depression, leading to widespread bank failures, unemployment, and hardship across the nation.
  • Fall 1857: Buchanan’s response to the Panic of 1857 is limited, as he believes in a laissez-faire approach to the economy. He calls for tariff reductions and minor adjustments, but his actions are largely seen as inadequate in addressing the economic crisis.

Continued Strife Over Kansas: 1858

  • January 1858: The Lecompton Constitution is defeated in a territorial referendum in Kansas, with anti-slavery settlers overwhelmingly rejecting it. Buchanan persists in his support for the pro-slavery document, exacerbating tensions within his party and the nation.
  • May 4, 1858: The English Bill is passed by Congress, offering Kansans a land grant incentive to accept the Lecompton Constitution. In a subsequent referendum, Kansas voters reject the Lecompton Constitution once again, ensuring Kansas will enter the Union as a free state.

Domestic and Foreign Policy Challenges: 1859

  • October 1859: Abolitionist John Brown leads a raid on the federal armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia, intending to incite a slave rebellion. Brown’s raid fails, but it heightens Southern fears of a widespread abolitionist conspiracy and further polarizes the nation.
  • December 1859: Buchanan’s annual message to Congress emphasizes the preservation of the Union and the enforcement of federal laws. He condemns abolitionist actions but fails to present a clear plan to address the underlying causes of sectional tension.

The Election of 1860 and the Road to Secession

  • April 1860: The Democratic National Convention in Charleston, South Carolina, fractures over the issue of slavery. Northern and Southern Democrats split, leading to the nomination of two separate candidates: Stephen A. Douglas for the Northern Democrats and John C. Breckinridge for the Southern Democrats.
  • November 6, 1860: Republican candidate Abraham Lincoln wins the presidential election without carrying a single Southern state. Lincoln’s victory is perceived as a threat to slavery and prompts immediate calls for secession in the South.

The Secession Crisis: Late 1860 – Early 1861

  • December 20, 1860: South Carolina becomes the first state to secede from the Union, declaring its secession in response to Lincoln’s election. Buchanan, in his final weeks in office, asserts that secession is illegal but also claims the federal government has no power to coerce states back into the Union.
  • January 1861: Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas follow South Carolina’s lead and secede from the Union. Buchanan’s administration is paralyzed, unable to formulate a coherent response to the secession crisis.
  • February 4, 1861: The Confederate States of America is formed in Montgomery, Alabama, with Jefferson Davis elected as its provisional president. The new Confederacy begins seizing federal forts and installations within its boundaries.

Buchanan’s Final Days and Legacy: March 1861

  • March 4, 1861: James Buchanan’s presidency officially ends as Abraham Lincoln is inaugurated as the 16th President of the United States. Buchanan leaves office with the nation on the brink of civil war, having failed to prevent or mitigate the secession crisis.

Post-Presidency and Legacy

  • 1866: Buchanan publishes his memoir, “Mr. Buchanan’s Administration on the Eve of the Rebellion,” in which he defends his actions and blames the secession crisis on Northern abolitionists and Republican agitators.
  • June 1, 1868: James Buchanan dies at his home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. His legacy remains controversial, with many historians criticizing his inability to address the critical issues that led to the Civil War.

Legacy and Impact

James Buchanan’s presidency is marked by significant failures and controversies:

  • Dred Scott Decision: Buchanan’s support for the Supreme Court’s ruling exacerbates sectional tensions and undermines efforts to find a political solution to the slavery issue.
  • Lecompton Constitution: Buchanan’s backing of the fraudulent pro-slavery constitution in Kansas alienates Northern Democrats and deepens divisions within the party and the nation.
  • Panic of 1857: Buchanan’s inadequate response to the economic crisis leaves the nation ill-prepared to handle financial instability.
  • Secession Crisis: Buchanan’s indecisiveness and lack of effective action during the secession crisis leave his successor, Abraham Lincoln, to address the impending Civil War.

Conclusion

James Buchanan’s presidency, though marred by significant challenges and failures, was a critical period in American history. His inability to effectively address the escalating sectional tensions and the secession crisis set the stage for the Civil War. Buchanan’s presidency is often seen as a cautionary tale of the consequences of inaction and indecisiveness in the face of national division. Despite his intentions to preserve the Union and maintain peace, Buchanan’s legacy is largely defined by his inability to navigate the turbulent political landscape of his time.