Question

Which of the following most accurately summarizes James Buchanan’s

legacy as president?
(A) A sympathizer of abolitionism who pandered needlessly to the proslavery
South
(B) A strict constitutionalist, which may have limited his ability to
preserve the Union
(C) An accomplished leader in fi scal matters, but weak in diplomacy
between the states
(D) A strong proponent of education and the expansion of colleges
(E) A great unifi er of the Democratic Party, though faced with
insurmountable challenges

Answer 1

The statement that would best summarize James Buchanan’s legacy as president is that he was "(B) A strict constitutionalist, which may have limited his ability to preserve the Union," since this was one of the dilemmas (slavery) that the Constitution was ill-equipped to handle.