Buchanan offered the opinion that secession was illegal, but that going to war to stop secession would also be illegal. Therefore his administration did not do anything except try to broker some peace talks that were not effective. He is not called the "Do Nothing President" for no reason.
Buchanan had similar ideology to Lincoln until the Southern leadership attempted to kill him. After his near death experience, Buchanan did not oppose succession.
Both presidents Lincoln and Buchanan believed that secession was unconstitutional. They did differ, however, on one important point. Buchanan, unlike Lincoln, however, did not believe that the federal government had the constitutional power to resist secession through the use of force.
Buchanan. The secession of the first state (South Carolina) was a direct response to Lincoln's election win. But Lincoln was not inaugurated until March 1861.
President Buchanan
President Buchanan
Just prior to the outbreak of the American Civil War, President James Buchanan did not use force to try to prevent the Southern states from seceding from the Union. Believing secession to be illegal, but also believing that the Federal government had no right to use force to prevent secession, President Buchanan alienated both Southerners and Northerners in his final months in office before Abraham Lincoln was sworn in (in March 1865) as the country's next president.
Well slavery was a big part of the southern secession.
The Presidency was secured for James Buchanan by the Southern Votes.
If President James Buchanan had used force to stop the secession of Southern states, it could have led to immediate military conflict, potentially escalating tensions into a civil war earlier than 1861. Such an action might have galvanized Southern resistance and solidified their resolve to secede, as well as alienate moderate supporters in the North. The federal government's response could have resulted in significant casualties and destruction, complicating any future reconciliation efforts. Ultimately, Buchanan's decision to avoid confrontation allowed for the buildup of grievances that contributed to the Civil War.
separating from the southern states to go on your own.
West Virginia
Jefferson Davis