Franklin Pierce

Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States, came to office during a period of growing tension between the North and South. A politician of limited ability, Pierce was behind one of the most crucial pieces of legislation in American history. Although he did not author the Kansas-Nebraska Act, he did encourage its passage by Congress. And that piece of legislation set the nation on its path to civil war.

The storm of frenzy and faction must inevitably dash itself in vain against the unshaken rock of the Constitution. I shall never doubt it. Third Annual Message
Third Annual Message

Legacy

Pierce was a dark horse candidate for the Democratic Party, only winning the nomination on the forty-ninth ballot. Yet, he won the presidency by a landslide. He was viewed as a potential bridge to unite the country in the ongoing divide over slavery because he represented a northern state, but also supported southern slave owners. Once in office, however, Pierce was not able to fulfill such an elusive goal. Pierce believed that the Constitution safeguarded slavery and was in favor of expanding it. He even desired the acquisition of Cuba as a new slave state. Pierce strongly supported the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which was passed in 1854, and repealed the Missouri Compromise, thereby permitting state residents to decide about slavery for themselves. Bloody encounters between slavery factions ensued in Kansas, as well as in Boston.

Pierce is credited with expanding U.S. territory by negotiating the Gadsden Purchase from Mexico in 1853. This deal added the lands that we know today as New Mexico and Arizona for a cost of $10 million.

Franklin Pierce

Franklin Pierce

Legacy

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