James Buchanan, Jr. (April 23, 1791 – June 1, 1868) was the 15th President of the United States, serving from 1857 until 1861. A life-long bachelor, he fought Stephen A. Douglas for control of the Democrat Party. He presided over the country during the time of the Dred Scott decision, and the War Between the States. Although he believed that secession was illegal, he also believed that going to war to stop it was also illegal. That being the case, he ignored the entire issue.
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