Who was the 15th President of the United States, known for his moderate stance on slavery?

James Buchanan served as the 15th President of the United States from 1857 to 1861. He is often noted for his moderate stance on slavery, which he maintained in the lead-up to the Civil War. Buchanan believed in upholding the Constitution and the Union, and he attempted to balance the interests of both Northern and Southern factions regarding slavery. His administration faced significant challenges, including increasing tensions over slavery and the secession of Southern states, but he largely adhered to a position of non-interference in state decisions about slavery. This approach ultimately proved controversial and ineffective in addressing the divisions within the nation as the country moved closer to war.

Abraham Lincoln, while a pivotal figure in the conflict over slavery, was known for his more decisive actions against the institution, particularly through the Emancipation Proclamation. Franklin Pierce, like Buchanan, had a moderate approach but is less prominently associated with the presidency leading into the Civil War. Ulysses S. Grant, although significant as a general during the Civil War and as president thereafter, was not known for a stance on slavery similar to Buchanan's.