Devestated by personal tragedy James Buchanan focus all his efforts on politics and grew to become and powerful national leader who tried to straddle America's serious issues in hopes of achieving compromises. But in the early 1800's the nation was in no mood for compromise and was splitting apart. Bruchanan even foresaw the Civil War and despite his better judgment cold not resist the opportunity to achieve his decades long goal of becoming president in 1956. From there things only got worse.
—David Foss