Buchanan's Personality Increases Tensions
At 69 years old, James Buchanan was a tired man by the end of his time in office
Buchanan is considered “weak and unprincipled” for his indecisiveness
Many historians blame him for setting the stage for the Civil War.
When Buchanan was inaugurated, the nation thought Buchanan’s sense of compromise could help avert Civil War
This compromise only lead to more tensions between the North and South
Buchanan's compromise never appeased either side
His views on slavery were that it was morally wrong but it was protected by the Constitution
On secession were that it was unconstitutional
However, he believed there was little the federal government could do if a state did secede
Buchanan angered many with his very ‘middle’ view, thus increasing tensions toward Civil War