Abraham Lincoln becomes the 16th U.S. president and prepares to face the sectional crisis head-on.
Tag: James Buchanan
A Breakwater Between North and South
OTD 165 YEARS AGO: Outgoing President James Buchanan wraps up his term by creating the Dakota and Nevada territories, and approving increased import taxes. Buchanan then reflects upon his handling of the secession crisis.
Last-Ditch Compromise Efforts
Efforts in the U.S. Congress to adopt the Crittenden compromise failed. Constitutional amendments are introduced meant to define Federal involvement with slavery, but by the end of February, nobody feels confident that these measures would preserve the Union.
The Texas Secession
Delegates to the Texas State Convention at Austin voted 166 to 7 to secede from the United States, and the Federal military commander in the state controversially turns over all property to the Texans.
We Have Had Enough Controversies About Kansas
President James Buchanan signs a bill into law making “Bleeding Kansas” the 34th state of the Union.
Make Yourself That Rallying Point
An officer is assigned to protect Washington from secessionists, and a controversial letter from Winfield Scott becomes public.