* The Dred Scott case was a major Supreme Court case that ruled that African Americans were not citizens of the United States and could not sue in federal court. This decision further inflamed tensions between the North and the South and helped to lead to the Civil War.
Bleeding Kansas
* Bleeding Kansas was a period of violence and conflict in Kansas Territory in the 1850s. The conflict was between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces and resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people.
Failure to enforce the Fugitive Slave Act
* The Fugitive Slave Act was a law that required all citizens to return escaped slaves to their owners. Buchanan failed to enforce this law, which angered many Southerners.
Secession of the Southern states
* Under Buchanan's presidency, seven Southern states seceded from the Union and formed the Confederate States of America. This led to the Civil War.
Financial panic of 1857
* The financial panic of 1857 was a severe economic crisis that lasted for several years. The panic was caused by a number of factors, including speculation in land and railroads. Buchanan's handling of the panic was widely criticized.
Lack of leadership
* Buchanan was often seen as a weak and indecisive leader. He was unable to unite the country during a time of crisis and failed to take decisive action to prevent the Civil War.