POTUS

Franklin Pierce: A Rundown

Franklin Pierce (1804-1869) was the 14th POTUS, serving from 1853 to 1857. His presidency was largely overshadowed by the growing sectionalism in the United States leading up to the Civil War.

Key Events and Associations:

• Early Life and Career:
• Born in New Hampshire, Pierce came from a prominent political family.
• Graduated from Bowdoin College.
• Served in the New Hampshire state legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives.
• Served as a U.S. Senator.
• Resigned from the Senate to focus on his family and law practice.
• Served as a brigadier general in the Mexican-American War, though his military record was mixed.
• Election of 1852:
• Pierce was a “dark horse” candidate nominated by the Democrats after multiple ballots.
• He benefited from being seen as a compromise candidate acceptable to both Northern and Southern factions of the party.
• He won a landslide victory against William McKinley.
• The Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854):
• This act, supported by Pierce, repealed the Missouri Compromise and allowed for Popular Sovereignty in the territories of Kansas and Nebraska.
• It led to widespread violence in Kansas ("Bleeding Kansas") and further inflamed sectional tensions.
• Gadsden Purchase (1853):
• Pierce authorized the purchase of a strip of land from Mexico for $ 10 million.
• This land was intended to facilitate the construction of a transcontinental railroad along a southern route.
• Ostend Manifesto (1854):
• This document, drafted by U.S. diplomats in Europe, suggested that the United States should seize Cuba from Spain if Spain refused to sell it.
• The manifesto was controversial and further fueled concerns about the expansion of slavery.
• “Young America” Movement:
• Pierce was sympathetic to this movement, which advocated for U.S. expansion and influence abroad.
• It reflected a belief in American exceptionalism and a desire to spread democracy.

Important Legislation Signed:

• Kansas-Nebraska Act (1854) (As mentioned above)
• Gadsden Purchase Treaty (1853)

Groups and Affiliations:

• Democrats: Pierce was a staunch member of the Democrats and believed in states’ rights and limited federal government.

Impact on the Country:

• Negative Impact on Sectional Tensions: Pierce’s support for the Kansas-Nebraska Act is widely considered a major factor in escalating the conflict between the North and South. His actions deepened the divide over slavery and pushed the nation closer to Civil War.
• Weakening of the Democrats: The controversy surrounding the Kansas-Nebraska Act split the Democrats and weakened their ability to govern effectively.
• Rise of the New Republican Party 1850|Republican Party: The furor over the Kansas-Nebraska Act led to the formation of the New Republican Party 1850, which opposed the expansion of slavery.
• Foreign Policy Controversies: The Ostend Manifesto damaged the credibility of the United States on the international stage and raised concerns about American imperialism.

In conclusion, Franklin Pierce’s presidency is generally viewed as a failure due to his handling of the slavery issue and its contribution to the growing sectionalism that led to the Civil War.