Judging the Franklin Pierce presidency, one of the worst
TLDRThis video explores the controversial legacy of Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States. Known for his handsome appearance and friendly demeanor, Pierce's reputation suffers from his role in the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which exacerbated tensions leading to the Civil War. Despite some reforms like postal service improvements, his pro-Southern stance and personal tragedies overshadow his presidency.
Takeaways
- 🏆 President's Day is a time to honor the nation's leaders and discuss their legacies, including those considered the worst.
- 🤔 Andrew Johnson and Franklin Pierce are often confused, with some people mistaking one for the other.
- 🤝 Warren Harding is known for his handshaking, but Millard Fillmore is also remembered for his physical presence on a teacup.
- 🏠 Franklin Pierce was the only president from New Hampshire, but his reputation there is not particularly high.
- 👔 The Pierce Brigade, founded in 1966, aims to preserve Pierce's manse and improve his historical reputation.
- 🌟 Pierce was considered very handsome, even being called the most handsome president by Harry Truman.
- 📚 Pierce had a great personality and was friendly, as noted by historians and his friendship with novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne.
- 🏆 Pierce was a compromise candidate and won the presidency on the 49th ballot, though he was elected in a landslide.
- 📬 Under Pierce's administration, postal service reforms included the perforation of stamps, making them easier to separate.
- 🐦 The Guano Islands Act of 1856, signed by Pierce, provided American farmers with a steady supply of guano, a natural fertilizer.
- 🔪 Pierce's reputation suffered due to his support for the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which led to violence and the formation of the Republican Party.
Q & A
What is President's Day and why is it significant?
-President's Day is a day when the United States honors its nation's greatest leaders. It is a perfect opportunity to reflect on the legacies and contributions of past presidents.
Why is Andrew Johnson often considered one of the worst presidents?
-Andrew Johnson is often considered one of the worst presidents due to his controversial policies and actions during his presidency, which led to significant divisions and conflicts within the nation.
What is the connection between Warren Harding and the phrase 'the hand that shook hands with Harding'?
-The phrase 'the hand that shook hands with Harding' is a humorous reference to Harding's reputation for being a friendly and personable leader, known for his handshakes.
Who was Millard Fillmore and why is he mentioned in the script?
-Millard Fillmore was the 13th President of the United States. He is mentioned in the script as part of a humorous anecdote about a teacup with his lips on it, highlighting his lesser-known status among the worst presidents.
Why is Franklin Pierce considered one of the worst presidents?
-Franklin Pierce is considered one of the worst presidents primarily because he played a major role in bringing on the Civil War through his support of the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed voters in those territories to decide on the legality of slavery.
What was the Kansas-Nebraska Act and why was it controversial?
-The Kansas-Nebraska Act was a law signed by President Pierce in 1854 that allowed voters in the Kansas and Nebraska territories to decide whether to allow slavery within their borders. It was controversial because it negated the earlier Missouri Compromise and led to violent conflicts between pro-slavery and anti-slavery forces.
What reforms did Franklin Pierce make to the postal service?
-Under Franklin Pierce's administration, stamps were perforated, making it easier for people to separate them. This was a significant improvement in the postal service.
What was the Guano Islands Act of 1856 and how did it benefit American farmers?
-The Guano Islands Act of 1856, signed into law by Pierce, allowed the United States to claim unclaimed islands rich in guano, a natural fertilizer. This provided a steady supply of fertilizer for American farmers.
What personal tragedies did Franklin Pierce and his wife Jane face?
-Franklin Pierce and his wife Jane faced the tragic loss of all three of their children at a young age. Their last surviving child, Benny, died in a train accident just two months before Pierce's inauguration.
How did Franklin Pierce's hometown react to his pro-southern actions during the Civil War?
-Franklin Pierce's hometown of Concord, New Hampshire, was deeply displeased with his pro-southern actions. They even burned him in effigy as a sign of their disapproval.
What was the public's reaction to Franklin Pierce not displaying an American flag after Abraham Lincoln's assassination?
-An angry mob assembled questioning why Pierce wasn't paying respect by displaying a flag. He calmed the crowd by explaining that his years of service spoke louder than the display of a flag.
Outlines
😔 Controversial Legacy of Franklin Pierce
This paragraph delves into the life and presidency of Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States. Often considered one of the worst presidents, Pierce is noted for his good looks and amiable personality, traits that earned him admiration even from those who criticized his policies. Despite his personal charm, Pierce's political decisions, particularly the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854, are highlighted as major contributors to the tensions leading to the Civil War. This act allowed voters in the Kansas and Nebraska territories to decide on the legality of slavery, reversing the Missouri Compromise and sparking violent conflicts. The paragraph also touches on Pierce's efforts in postal service reform and the Guano Islands Act of 1856, which provided a steady supply of guano, a valuable natural fertilizer. Despite these contributions, Pierce's reputation suffered greatly due to his pro-Southern stance and the consequences of his policies.
😢 Personal Tragedy and Political Rejection
The second paragraph focuses on the personal and political struggles of Franklin Pierce. It recounts the tragic loss of his son in a train accident, which deeply affected his wife, Jane Pierce, leading her to mourn in seclusion for nearly two years. This emotional turmoil is contrasted with Pierce's political downfall, as he sought but failed to secure renomination by his party after a single term. Returning to New Hampshire, Pierce faced further misfortune as his home was later destroyed by fire. The paragraph also highlights the community's disdain for Pierce, evident in their refusal to display flags in his honor following Abraham Lincoln's assassination. Despite these setbacks, the paragraph concludes by suggesting that while Pierce may not be remembered as a great president, he was not entirely without merit, reflecting a nuanced view of his character and legacy.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡President's Day
💡Andrew Johnson
💡Franklin Pierce
💡Kansas-Nebraska Act
💡Missouri Compromise
💡Republican Party
💡Guano Islands Act of 1856
💡Nathaniel Hawthorne
💡Pierce Brigade
💡Effigy
💡Abraham Lincoln
Highlights
President's Day is a day to honor the nation's greatest leaders.
Andrew Johnson is often considered one of the worst presidents.
Some people mistakenly think of Andrew Jackson or Warren Harding when discussing the worst presidents.
Millard Fillmore is also often mentioned in discussions of the worst presidents.
Franklin Pierce is the only president from New Hampshire, but he is not highly regarded there.
The Pierce Brigade was founded in 1966 to preserve Pierce's legacy.
Franklin Pierce was known for his good looks and amiable personality.
Harry Truman considered Pierce the most handsome president until his time.
Franklin Pierce had a lifelong friendship with novelist Nathaniel Hawthorne.
Pierce's campaign biography was written by Hawthorne, though it's not as famous as his novels.
Pierce was a compromise candidate and won the presidency on the 49th ballot.
Pierce was elected in a landslide but his presidency was not without controversy.
Under Pierce, stamps were perforated for easier separation.
The Guano Islands Act of 1856 provided a steady supply of guano for American farmers.
Pierce's reputation suffered due to his role in the Kansas-Nebraska Act and the resulting violence.
The Kansas-Nebraska Act negated the Missouri Compromise and allowed slavery in new territories.
Pierce's pro-Southern stance during the Kansas violence was widely criticized.
Pierce's hometown of Concord, New Hampshire, burned him in effigy for his actions.
Pierce's personal life was marked by tragedy, with all three of his children dying young.
Pierce's wife, Jane, was deeply affected by the death of their last child before his inauguration.
Pierce was rejected for renomination by his party after a single term.
Pierce's home in New Hampshire later burned down.
After Lincoln's assassination, Pierce was criticized for not displaying a flag in respect.
Franklin Pierce died in 1869 at the age of 64.
Despite his low ranking, Pierce was not a terrible person.
Transcripts
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