James Buchanan

James Buchanan (1791-1868) was the fifteenth President of the United States, serving from 1857 to 1861. He was succeeded by Abraham Lincoln. Before the presidency, Buchanan served as a member of the House of Representatives representing Pennsylvania (1823-1831, serving two separate districts); Ambassador to Russia (1832-33); United States Senator (1834-1845); Secretary of State for the United States (1845-1849), and; Ambassador to Britain (1853-1856).

Buchanan's inaction in the face of secession of the Southern states, as well as most of the policies he followed during his term as president have firmly established Buchanan as one of the worst Presidents of U.S. history.

James Buchanan in Southern Victory
James Buchanan was the last President of the United States to be recognized as head of state by those states that seceded to form the Confederate States.

Like most Democratic Presidents prior to the War of Secession, Buchanan was very deferential to Southern interests. He is best known for violating his oath "to protect, defend, and preserve the Constitution of the United States" by doing nothing to discourage the southern states' secession between the election of Lincoln and Buchanan's leaving office on March 4, 1861.