How did James Buchanan handle the growing conflict over slavery?
Posted on Nov 19, 2025 / Celebs
Buchanan believed strongly that the Constitution limited his power, so he thought he couldn’t intervene when Southern states started talking about secession. He hoped the Supreme Court would settle the slavery issue, which led to the infamous Dred Scott decision. That ruling ended up making things way worse, not better. Buchanan tried to keep the peace, but instead he watched tensions explode. Critics say he lacked courage, while supporters argue he was boxed in legally. Either way, his approach didn’t solve anything. His presidency is now seen as one of the key moments that led to the Civil War.
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