James Buchanan was the 15th President of the United States, serving from 1857 to 1861. He is often criticized for his weak response to secession and inability to prevent the outbreak of the Civil War.
Related terms
Secession: The act of withdrawing or separating from a larger political entity, such as a country or government.
Civil War: A violent conflict between organized groups within the same country, typically fought over control of government or territory.
Confederate States of America: The self-proclaimed nation established by eleven Southern states that seceded from the United States during the Civil War.