Franklin Pierce

Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States, served from 1853 to 1857. His presidency occurred during a tumultuous period in American history, marked by increasing sectional tensions over slavery. Pierce’s efforts to maintain peace ultimately failed to prevent the drift toward civil war, and his administration is often criticized for its handling of critical issues. This biography explores Pierce’s life, from his early years to his presidency, and his legacy. 

Early Life and Education

Birth and Family Background

Franklin Pierce was born on November 23, 1804, in a log cabin in Hillsborough, New Hampshire. He was the sixth of eight children born to Benjamin Pierce, a Revolutionary War hero who later became Governor of New Hampshire, and Anna Kendrick Pierce. The Pierce family was well-respected, and Franklin’s father instilled in him a sense of duty and public service (Holt, 2010). 

Education and Early Influences

Pierce’s early education took place at local schools, where he displayed a keen intellect and a talent for oratory. At the age of 15, he enrolled at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. There, he formed lasting friendships with future literary figures such as Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Pierce graduated in 1824, ranking fifth in his class. His time at Bowdoin fostered his intellectual growth and solidified his interest in public service (Wallner, 2004). 

After graduating, Pierce studied law under the tutelage of Judge Edmund Parker in Amherst, New Hampshire. He was admitted to the bar in 1827 and began practicing law in Hillsborough. His legal career quickly flourished, and he gained a reputation as a skilled and eloquent attorney (Holt, 2010). 

Early Political Career

Entry into Politics

Pierce’s political career began with his election to the New Hampshire House of Representatives in 1829. He served four terms, including two as Speaker of the House. His leadership skills and commitment to the Democratic Party quickly elevated him within state politics (Wallner, 2004). 

U.S. House of Representatives and Senate

In 1833, Pierce was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where he served until 1837. During his tenure, he was a loyal supporter of President Andrew Jackson and his policies, including Jackson’s opposition to the recharter of the Second Bank of the United States. Pierce’s alignment with Jacksonian democracy and his advocacy for states’ rights and limited government defined his early political ideology (Wallner, 2004). 

In 1837, Pierce was elected to the U.S. Senate. At 32, he was one of the youngest members of the Senate. His Senate career was marked by his staunch support for the Democratic Party and his defense of Southern interests, particularly regarding slavery. However, he became disillusioned with the growing sectional tensions and resigned from the Senate in 1842, returning to New Hampshire to focus on his legal practice and family (Holt, 2010). 

Marriage and Family

In 1834, Pierce married Jane Means Appleton, the daughter of a prominent New England family. Jane was deeply religious and struggled with frail health throughout her life. The couple had three sons, but tragically, all three died young. The loss of their children deeply affected both Franklin and Jane, contributing to Jane’s chronic depression and furthering Franklin’s resolve to seek solace in his political career (Wallner, 2004). 

Mexican-American War and Rise to National Prominence

Military Service

With the outbreak of the Mexican-American War in 1846, Pierce enlisted in the army, driven by a sense of duty and a desire to escape his personal tragedies. He was appointed as a brigadier general and led a brigade in General Winfield Scott’s campaign to capture Mexico City. Despite suffering a severe injury when he was thrown from his horse, Pierce demonstrated bravery and leadership, earning the respect of his troops and fellow officers (Holt, 2010). 

Return to Politics

Pierce’s military service enhanced his national profile and renewed his political ambitions. He returned to New Hampshire as a war hero and resumed his legal practice, but his sights were set on higher office. He remained a loyal Democrat and became increasingly involved in national politics, advocating for the expansion of American territory and supporting the Compromise of 1850, which aimed to ease sectional tensions by addressing the status of slavery in the new territories (Wallner, 2004). 

Presidency

Election of 1852

The 1852 presidential election saw the Democratic Party divided over its choice of candidate. After 48 ballots, the party settled on Franklin Pierce as a compromise candidate, largely because he was a Northern Democrat with Southern sympathies. Pierce’s obscurity worked in his favor, as he had no significant political enemies. He was paired with William R. King of Alabama as his running mate (Wallner, 2004). 

Pierce’s campaign emphasized his military service and his commitment to national unity. The Whig Party, meanwhile, was deeply divided and nominated General Winfield Scott, Pierce’s former commander in Mexico. Pierce won a decisive victory, carrying 27 of the 31 states. His triumph was seen as a mandate for his platform of national expansion and compromise on slavery (Holt, 2010). 

Domestic Policy

The Kansas-Nebraska Act

One of the most significant and controversial events of Pierce’s presidency was the passage of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854. Sponsored by Senator Stephen A. Douglas, the act created the territories of Kansas and Nebraska and allowed the settlers in those territories to determine whether they would allow slavery through popular sovereignty. The act effectively repealed the Missouri Compromise of 1820, which had prohibited slavery in those territories north of latitude 36°30´ (Holt, 2010). 

Pierce’s support for the Kansas-Nebraska Act was intended to appease Southern Democrats and promote westward expansion. However, the act led to violent conflict between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers in Kansas, a period known as “Bleeding Kansas.” The violence and political fallout from the act deepened sectional divisions and eroded Pierce’s popularity in the North (Wallner, 2004). 

Enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act

Pierce was a staunch enforcer of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, which required that escaped slaves be returned to their owners even if they were found in free states. His administration’s rigorous enforcement of the act angered many in the North and fueled abolitionist sentiment. The act’s implementation often led to violent confrontations and further inflamed the national debate over slavery (Holt, 2010). 

Foreign Policy

Expansionist Ambitions

Pierce’s foreign policy was driven by a desire to expand American territory and influence. His administration pursued several initiatives aimed at acquiring new territories: 

Cuba: Pierce supported efforts to acquire Cuba from Spain, believing it would be a valuable addition to the United States and a potential slave state. The Ostend Manifesto, a document drafted by American diplomats in 1854, proposed the purchase of Cuba and suggested that the United States might take it by force if Spain refused. The manifesto, when leaked, caused an uproar and damaged Pierce’s administration (Holt, 2010). 

Gadsden Purchase: In 1853, Pierce successfully negotiated the Gadsden Purchase, acquiring a strip of land in present-day Arizona and New Mexico from Mexico. This purchase facilitated the construction of a southern transcontinental railroad and was one of the few uncontroversial achievements of Pierce’s presidency (Wallner, 2004). 

Diplomacy in Asia: Pierce’s administration continued the efforts of his predecessors to open trade with Asia. Commodore Matthew Perry’s expedition to Japan in 1853-1854, initiated under President Millard Fillmore, resulted in the Treaty of Kanagawa, which opened Japanese ports to American trade. Pierce supported these diplomatic efforts, recognizing the economic potential of increased trade with Asia (Holt, 2010). 

Later Life and Legacy

Post-Presidency

After leaving office in 1857, Pierce retired to his home in Concord, New Hampshire. His post-presidency years were marked by personal tragedy and political disillusionment. Jane Pierce, who had never fully recovered from the deaths of their children, passed away in 1863. Pierce, deeply affected by her death, became increasingly reclusive (Wallner, 2004). 

Pierce’s views on the Civil War further isolated him from many of his former political allies. He opposed secession but was critical of Abraham Lincoln’s handling of the war, particularly the suspension of habeas corpus and other measures he viewed as unconstitutional. Pierce’s opposition to the war effort led to accusations of disloyalty, and he was largely shunned by the political establishment (Holt, 2010). 

Death and Legacy

Franklin Pierce died on October 8, 1869, at the age of 64. He was buried next to his wife and children in the Old North Cemetery in Concord, New Hampshire. Pierce’s legacy is complex and often viewed negatively due to his administration’s failures to address the growing sectional crisis and his support for policies that exacerbated tensions over slavery (Wallner, 2004). 

Historians generally rank Pierce as one of the least effective presidents in American history. His inability to prevent the nation from moving closer to civil war and his support for the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the Fugitive Slave Act are seen as major shortcomings. However, Pierce’s presidency also highlights the challenges and complexities of leading a nation deeply divided over fundamental issues (Holt, 2010). 

Final Summary

Franklin Pierce’s life and presidency were marked by ambition, tragedy, and controversy. From his early years in New Hampshire to his tenure in the White House, Pierce’s career reflected the turbulent times in which he lived. His efforts to maintain national unity through compromise ultimately failed to prevent the sectional conflict that would lead to the Civil War. While his legacy is often viewed critically, Pierce’s story remains an important part of American history, illustrating the difficulties of leadership in a nation on the brink of division.

 

References

Holt, M. F. (2010). Franklin Pierce. Times Books.

Wallner, P. A. (2004). Franklin Pierce: New Hampshire’s Favorite Son. University Press of New England.