Changes

==James Buchanan==

==James Buchanan==

In 1857, the new Democratic President Buchanan deferred to popular sovereignty, and tried to get Kansas admitted as a slave state.  The “Dred Scott” decision was the Supreme Court’s attempt to resolve it:  the Court held that African-Americans have no rights in the United States.  This was an outrageous, shocking decision.  Buchanan had been overseas during most of the bitter disputes over slavery.  Northerners accused him of agreeing secretly with Supreme Court Justices to render a decision in favor of the South.

In 1857, the new Democratic President Buchanan deferred to popular sovereignty, and tried to get Kansas admitted as a slave state.  He hoped the ''Dred Scott'' decision would help, because it held that African-Americans have no rights in the United States anyway.  Northerners accused him of agreeing secretly with Supreme Court Justices to render a decision in favor of the South.  Buchanan was not up to solving the difficult challenge that faced him, and his approach was all wrong.

The Panic of 1857 caused financial panic throughout the United States when the New York City branch of Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Co. failed. It caused a sudden recession in the economy, but recovery came quickly afterward.   

The Panic of 1857 caused financial panic throughout the United States when the New York City branch of Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Co. failed. It caused a sudden recession in the economy, but recovery came quickly afterward.   

In 1858, Lincoln said in a speech before the Republican state convention:  "a house divided against itself cannot stand," quoting the Bible.  He copied the application of this concept to slavery from many others who had used it previously.  Douglas, a master debater, elicited a chuckle from the crowd when he said he would speak without claiming the expertise implied by Lincoln's quotation of biblical verse.

In 1858, Lincoln said in a speech before the Republican state convention:  "a house divided against itself cannot stand," quoting the Bible.  He copied the application of this concept to slavery from many others who had used it previously.  Lincoln's words were prophetic.  But Douglas, perhaps an even smoother debater, elicited a chuckle from the crowd when he said he would speak without claiming to have special authority from God.

Two new states were added to the Union while Buchanan served as president: Minnesota was admitted in 1858, and Oregon was admitted in 1859.

Meanwhile, two new states were added to the Union while Buchanan served as president: Minnesota was admitted in 1858, and Oregon was admitted in 1859.

==The Election of 1860==

==The Election of 1860==