I visited Buchanan's grave a while back, to inform his ghost that he was no longer America's worst President. He didn't respond directly, but one of the birds singing in the blossoms nearby might have been his ghost.
He's still the worst, the period between the election of 1860 and Lincoln's inauguration is the only time in history when the US has had no president, because Buchanan was so inactive during this time. He basically gave up on trying to solve the crisis.
FYI, Buchanan's ghost almost always is in the form of a squirrel. OMG, I can't believe you were all like trying to channel Buchanan's spirit vis-a-vis a bird and junk! LOL! I bet he was so annoyed! Anyway, I've got some orbs to chase and what not. Buh-Bye!
James Buchanan's youngest brother was my great-great-grandfather so growing up I learned the Buchanan history going back to Scotland. Many of the cousins did not want to be associated with him as they did not like him being in politics. The cousins moved to Missouri and Texas. Around 1880 our family moved to Oregon from Dallas. I have managed to find some of the grave sites in Texas and Oregon as well as visiting Wheatland.
My great grandfather was his nephew, he was born in the 1830s, was married late in California and was 60 when my grandmother was born in 1892. The family came over around 1776, Scottish Presbyterians via Northern Ireland
He was married, correct? Some of these amateur historians don't even bother to do their research and they instead call a political organization that tells them what to think.
@@christianfreedom-seeker934 no his engagement didn't progress to marriage, I seem to remember she passed away and he remained single the rest of his life .
I will attempt to keep my comment as brief as I can. One of my favorite Teachers in HS was my History teacher. This man was a Marine that fought in WW2 in the Pacific. He was actually either on Okinawa or near it when the Nuclear bombs were dropped. He was always careful to point out to his classes to be careful when grading Presidents over time. He always used Lincoln as an example. He would start out with what would have happened had the South fired on Ft Sumter 20 years later closer to 1880? Lincoln's cabinet was filled with men that were at one time adversaries of his. Salmon Chase was one such man. What if there was no Civil War during Lincoln's term? Would he be known as a great leader today? Events can shape a President as much as a President can shape events! Another question he asked us to think about was what would have happened to FDR and his policies had Na zi Germany and Imperial Japan never happened? We always had good CIVIL discussions that he fostered. At 65 one of the reasons I am more tolerant of other political beliefs is sitting in that man's classroom all those years ago.
One last point about Buchanan's Presidency! There is no politically correct way to say this. Going back to before the Revolutionary War especially after the invention of the cotton gin cotton was king in the southern states. This was a debate even during the founding of the US. Again I repeat I can't be politically correct and stay accurate. There was a call among some to also include people of color when talking about human rights during this period. To do so, however, would have wrecked the economies of these southern states. SO like what happens so many times the can got kicked down the road. By the time Buchanan was president that can no longer could be kicked. After almost 70 years of inattention this issue came to a boil and as luck would have it happened in that time period just before Lincoln was President. I doubt Buchanan could have done anything to stop the events that happened after he left office. How would you handle being POTUS and having two groups of people almost ready to go to war and not in any way attempting to compromise? What would you do? I know Buchanan was playing both sides with the middle, but he was trying to keep the red stuff from flowing all over the USA. Just a thought though! What if the South attacked Ft Sumter during his term? Would history treat him any better? For some reason, I am thinking about another man from Pennsylvania named John Dickinson, as well as Adlai Stevenson. Both of these men at times during their public life took positions many thought of as weak and history now tells us were untenable however hindsight is 20-20. So as for as Buchanan goes I am of the mind that a great deal of the problems that beset the US during his Presidency can also be laid at the feet of all of those founding fathers everybody wants to celebrate and then blame later people who were tasked with cleaning up their mess! Let's be real, as far as people of color are concerned the founding fathers did leave a mess to be cleaned up later! Was Buchanan a good POTUS? In my opinion, he was not. The problems the US was facing during his term are not 100% his making!
Yes,, If you look at Jimmy Carters time, He signed many good laws & such. BUT Reagan's campaign manager went over seas & secretly met a Iran official & made a deal to hold the hostages till after the election . ' Your thoughts '
We can say 'What if' until the cows come, I mean what if a frog had wings, would he bump his ass when he landed, but to answer your statement, or question concerning the civil war start date, if it had started in the 1880s as you suggest, it would have lasted a lot longer with a higher death toll, due to new weapons that probably would have been available, such as repeating rifles, canons that can fire quickly like howitzers, machine guns, armored vehicles maybe, and President Garfield would have been office by now...there are too many 'IFs" to consider, it would be impossible to say what kind of war it would be...let's be thankful that it started and ended when it did...things happen for a reason, reasons that may never be clear to us, but reasons none the less, but black is still black, and white is still white...and Biden is still an Idiot!, and Harris is still a Bimbo...I would of like to have had a history teacher like yours...😀
Very interesting. In fact, Queen Victoria considered the president a friend of sorts. The "Resolute" Desk in the oval office was also a gift to Buchanan from the Queen. She commissioned it for him, as president from the salvaged wood from the ship "Resolute"!
I’m confused as to why you referred to him as one of the worst numerous times, yet never mentioned a single thing he did that made him the worst. I would have liked to know, and I think telling us would have made the video that much more compelling.
It was a matter of what he didn't do. He failed to suppress the insurrections in Missouri and Bloody Kansas. Allowing the rebells to raid federal posts with no consequences only emboldened them. This climaxed into the attack on Ft. Sumpter leading into the bloodiest four years in American history.
Let me guess, you vote for the party that has brought us the increased prices of everything and the rising crime rates due to their childish policies. It’s like you hate poor people.@@ElaineRuhmann
I grew up in Lancaster County and visited this for my 3rd grade field trip. I enjoyed it. In that area you might want to check out the Columbia-Wrightsville bridge (about 20 minutes west of Wheatland). The residents of Columbia burned the bridge down before the Confederate Army could go over it and make it to Harrisburg. They then turned around and went to Gettysburg. You can still see the remnants of the bridge next to the current Veterans Memorial Bridge.
I used to live in Columbia and while living there they had a burning of the bridge reenactment so to speak where they lit wood along the bridge during time lapses to show how long the burning lasted...was pretty interesting
I grew up in Philly but retired in Lancaster City. I attended St James of Kingseesing, the second oldest church in Philadelphia. There were tunnels running under the church that were part of the Underground Railroad that led to an old nearby house, circa 1780. When I lived in West Chester on the corner of Church and Dean the four homes, including the apartment building I lived in was connected underground by tunnels. There were many Quakers “Friends” living in these neighborhoods. Mennonites of which there are many in Lancaster County were also instrumental in hiding runaway slaves.
that is a very interesting story if not for them doing that all history may have been different because as I understand it Harrisburg was their ultimate objective to establish a beachhead in the North. Is there at least an historical marker there?
One of my new favorite channels!! I appreciate a bit of history on our U.S. Presidents, and seeing a slice of their lives & times by touring their homes. They still needed to communicate; travel; buy goods & services; buy or make clothing & do laundry; grow, buy & prepare food; attend to personal hygiene - except without all the modern conveniences we take for granted today - so it's interesting to see how all these needs were met in another time. And the social & political climate is also interesting to compare with today - and even see disturbing similarities. I'm staying tuned...!
No context, tons of bias, facts cherry picked, total mess of a job. But you give an A for esthetics. Fair enough, find the beauty in any pile of vomit. I command you for it
@@porcudracului oh dear why do you need to be so angry and vile? My comment is my comment I do not need your input into my thoughts . Anyhow bless you have a great day.
James Buchanan was responsible for bringing a set of gold plated cutlery into the White House when he was president. When Lincoln was president he would feed his cats from the dinner table. On one occasion Ms Lincoln scolded him for doing so and for also feeding them with the good cutlery. Abe’s alleged response was ‘if the gold fork was good enough for Buchanan then it’s good enough for Tabby’ 😂
So much history in PA. I really enjoyed the tour. I got the opportunity to visit PA and fell in love with the older buildings, mansions, homes. I felt at home there.
This is really good stuff! Amazing that you can go in, and take it all in. Living history. We hear about the big ones all the time. Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Teddy, etc. And we all have our favorites. But it is a lot of fun for me to hear about, and learn about some of the others. And what was happening in America, and the World, during their time. This is really good stuff. Subbed!
He did nothing to make that "time" better. Worst president in history until Trump came along. I was a tour guide at Wheatland as a teenager, I have a degree in history, and I am not unfamiliar with the time he was president, but if we're honest, he was a terrible president.
@@cynthiabellack7994 Cynthia, hiding behind your 'resume' to make a very typical cheapshot at Trump is pretty small and predictable, both. Better re-take that history course and this time try to be a bit more genuinely open-minded.
Your channel is probably the most professional and has well made videos that outshine other larger channels. If I had just walked through that house I would not have been as fascinated as when you talk about it. You bring it back to life. You are an old soul that although you are young wants to know about the past. I’m grateful you are that way. Come to Maui sometime! We have some incredible history here as well
This was a fascinating tour. Being able to walk into the rooms instead of standing behind roped barricades made it a much more personal experience. I've always been interested in learning more about the lesser known Presidents; why were they forgotten and uncovering some hidden accomplishments during their administration. I'm looking forward to your upcoming videos.
There has to be ropes now, there's folks who will poop in offices, trash what they can and try to hunt down lawmakers they don't like to hang and even attack security causing death.
Really interesting to see how many original items are still on display and with how close you can get to them. I definitely learned more about the man from the video. Thanks!
I enjoyed this very much. I'm distantly related to Buchanan. One of my 4x or 5x great grandmothers, Elizaneth Buchanan, was James Buchanan's cousin. They shared the same grandfather. I've been going on you tube to visit the homrs of the presidents and other famous people. Mary Todd Lincon's childhood home in Lexington KY has been beautifully restored. Henry Clay and John Hunt Morgan also lived in Lexington and their homes are open to the public as well
There are different kinds of "worst". Wilson was an unconverted segregationist, and a member of the KKK. Buchanan was an example of the Peter Principle (promoted until he could no longer cope), Andrew Jackson was an Indian hunter and authorized the Trail of Tears.
I learned quite a bit about Buchanan from this video. The house was really something to see, as well as the artifacts. I’ve been to Lancaster many times but I never knew that Buchanan was from there, I would have loved to have seen this place. Great video, JD.
You have such a passion for history, that makes it so much more interesting for people like me…. I learn and retain more knowledge from your videos than I would reading a history book!!!! It’s so much easier and fun learning. Thank you for sharing your knowledge in a constructive way!
I came here to drop a few comments about our current walking cadaver, but I see no point. I’ve been beaten to it by many. Glad to see i and my fellow Americans share many “sentiments” about our cadaver in chief!😂😂😂
Thank you for showing this. I am relatively new to the area and didn't know about this estate. I visited yesterday. Wonderful intro film - very fair and balanced. House is gorgeous. I also think you need to look at Buchanan with the mindset of the time. He fell into major problems with south seceding, the economic collapse and the firing on Fort Sumner - none of which he caused. It just wasn't that simple unfortunately - many shades of grey.
No matter if he was one of the worse, he sure had a beautiful home. I wonder if anyone else would have faired any better as President. The Country was a powder keg waiting to explode. Could anyone at that time done any better? There was going to be a war over slavery no matter who was President. Even as great as he was Lincoln couldn’t stop it. Totally enjoyed this. 😊👍
Lincoln was unable to stop the war because it was his election that caused the first states to secede. Once in office, the Confederates didn't give him much time to find a solution. The first shots on Fort Sumter were fired 39 days later.
Cyndie Bill. Buchanan was an ideologue who surrounded himself with southern sympathizers. Including his entire cabinet. Much like Trump did with his cabinet. Ideologues make terrible presidents. For obvious reasons.
I really must give President Buchanan high marks for his consistent efforts as he struggled with an American this was full of a multitude of problems, both large and small. Pres. Buchanan never gave up and stayed in the fight to the bitter end. God Bless the Man.
It's also been reported that he suffered from arsenic poisoning shortly after he was elected, yet still did his job. The poisoning was due to an effort to kill rats that later infected the water system where he was staying and not an assassination attempt. However; it does demonstrates his determination to serve his country.
My only beef with Buchanan was he could have done so much more leading up to the Civil War to avoid it. I am not suggesting he could have stopped the war happening, but to constantly throw the problem back to the States to sort out, pretty cursed us to have the war we did
@@glenchapman3899he applied the constitution correctly. The fact that he wasn't a genocidal maniac like his successor doesn't make him bad, just tactful
This is a beautiful house. The last time I went there was when my niece had Her wedding there 25 years ago in the Summer. It was a very beautiful day too. Thank you so much for sharing this amazing video. 🙏🏼❤️
My grandfather, who died before I was born, was named after James Buchanan - James Buchanan Crutcher. He was many, many yrs older than my grandmother and I've been told he was a young lad when the civil war occured and remembered seeing the troops.
Very Interesting. I have a degree in history and have traveled widely to sites relative to our nation's leaders and yet I learned more about this man from this video than I had in all my previous study. Thank you for the look into his life and for filling a void in knowledge. No one becomes president without some quality even if their time in office disappoints and this we should respect and in many cases honor.
Not true! We have one ex president who became President without any kind of quality except being a good liar, rapist, and TRAITOR. A complete loser in every way.
campaign expenses paid for by bankstards... we were skunked.. the law of the fed was sneaked thru kongress 2 days before Christmas... signed within hoursby tommy wilson.. tommy later regretted his profound mistake... campaigned for its reppeal....died of appoplexy 🫤 my bet .. poison ...
beautiful!! amazing history & i love the antique furniture … the portraits signed by queen Victoria & King Albert are fascinating!! i love things like that 😍❤️
This is one of the best podcast that I've ever watched. Perfectly put together videos along with excellent commentary. I can't wait to see previous presidents you've covered and looking forward to seeing who the next president will be that you cover.
In my opinion Wilson was the worst. He took away State's rights with his amendments, which strengthened the powers of the Federal Government. Without that, the Senate would still be a very deliberative body, with each senator jealously guarding his own state's rights from encroachment by the Federal Government. Now they are all beholden to the donor class on K Street. He needlessly went to war with Germany, something that previous Presidents would have resisted. Now we have a country with never-ending wars. This led to the fall of the Russian Empire and the establishment of the Soviet Union, and an America with a very opaque Government. The Blacks lost all the gains made during reconstruction. The Federal Government was re-segregated in Washington DC. All in all, a monster of a President, very sympathetic to the KKK.
Thanks, JD, so much for the amazing tour of the Buchanan home . What an amazing time capsule of the man and the life and times. Thank you for everything you do!
✔️Another one off the list 👍 What an amazing amount of original artifacts. The whole time I kept thinking about how clean everything looked and who had the job of keeping it that way 😅
@@TheHistoryUnderground this looks like a video touring a house of a former president and kinda should've been titled as much. You never mentioned why this is your opinion of the "worst" American president with verifiable examples to support your claim. The current resident in office now is saying "the worst president........oh yeah, hold my bud light"
Love the 30min vids!!! I clicked so fast!!! Even tho I am not an American, (fellow Canadian 🇨🇦) I appreciate your dedication to history, passion, and how well you explain everything. Love love love your channel so much ❤️
As President, Buchanan intervened to assure the Supreme Court's majority ruling in the pro-slavery decision in the Dred Scott case. He acceded to Southern attempts to engineer Kansas' entry into the Union as a slave state under the Lecompton Constitution, and angered not only Republicans but also Northern Democrats.
There’s no evidence that Buchanan influenced the Supreme Court to rule against Dred Scott even if he expressed a desire for it. But his support of LeCompton and resorting to gifts to secure that support was the big mistake of his presidency.
Buchanan had one of the stronger pre-presidency careers, but his policies were not fit for the time he was in office. In that regard, he is similar to Herbert Hoover. Another comparison would be Richard Nixon. It would be hard to beat Andrew Johnson for sheer incompetence.
In High School, I remember Ulysses S Grant was described as the most corrupt president or was just so oblivious to what was going on that everyone took advantage of his incompetence.
@@jC-kc4si High schools these days hire highly ignorant individuals who profess things which are nearly 100% false, Grant was one of the most highly honest individuals of his era. That bluntness probably made him execute a war the way he did.
@@seahagkeylover Thanks for politicizing a history discussion. Since you brought it up, I’m pretty sure that history will lump your traitorous cult leader in with Buchanan, Andrew Johnson, and GWBush …. At the bottom of the heap.
I have visited Millard Fillmore’s grave in Buffalo, the thirteenth president from 1850 to 1853. I hope History Underground can make a video on him. Also visited Martin Van Buren’s and Franklin Pierce’s grave Please do a video on them. Thank you.
@@edschermerhorn5415 What could he possibly have done about the Dred Scott decision by the SCOTUS, he had no control over the Court,and it is the duty of the executive branch of government, headed by the President to enforce SCOTUS rulings whether or not they agree or disagree with the rulings,that is what President's are supposed to do and should do,other than getting an amendment passed to change the Dred Scott ruling,I really don't know what he could have done,trying to get rid of Dred Scott by amendment would not work bc the southern states would have voted against it,could not have got 2/3 majority, and I don't remember reading what President Buchanon thought about the Dred Scott decision.
Thank you for this. History has always been one of my interests......and one can learn so much more than what we're taught by people like you who take the time to investigate and share with the rest of us.
This was an interesting tour of Buchanan's home. Your knowledge of the property and its contents really is impressive! The only criticism I have is to echo that of some others: why was he considered (until now) to have been the "worst President" in our history? The content could have been improved by adding a little of what he did - or did not - do while he was in Office. I think your goal of visiting all of the graves of the previous presidents is admirable and patriotic! I wish you well in that endeavor!! Take care and happy trails!
what makes him the worst is sleeping on america's biggest crisis in history: when the southern states were leaving the union. he did literally nothing. combine that with how he didn't do anything else in his presidency, and that basically leaves him with no accomplishments.
I have visited Wheatland three times. Did you notice the campaign flyer with John C. Freemont's name on it? Civil War Major General, US West explorer, gold miner, California Senator. A candidate for History Underground biography. Buchanan's niece was a guest at the White House for many US Presidents. E281 gets superior grades.
Nonsense. This was the state where the USA was founded! The birthplace of the Declaration and the Constitution. Remember: No president from the Keystone State was ever impeached nor had to resign in disgrace.
I’ll have to find your video on Taft, because my great great grandfather apparently loved Taft as a President that he convinced my great grandfather to name his son after him. Now I am the III, William Howard Taft. Unfortunately I didn’t have any sons to carry on the name.
I taught History for many years, and found this really interesting. The lavish home was so beautiful inside. I think students would really find this entertaining! As for the worst, he certainly has some our current past contenders with a higher marks of failure!
Thank you for your attention to detail, interesting background information, and pleasant music that accompanies your videos!! I'm a new subscriber and glad I found a great historian such as yourself!
You were correct that Presidents did not typically campaign for the office in those times. Lincoln not only never left his residence during the Presidential campaign of 1860, he made no public statements at all!
Thank you. This was very interesting. I remember touring Wheatland on a class trip in elementary school. Probably sometime between 1958 and 1961. I was very impressed with it but after watching the video I realized, I don’t really remember anything about the house. I live in northeastern Maryland (about an hour away), so I’ll put it on my bucket list! Thank you again for sharing. Btw, I was a patient in Johns Hopkins Hospital in early 1958. They had a section named Harriet Lane.
It does seem that the further removed a generation is from one President to another, things do tend to repeat themselves! Today, hiding the past seems to be many peoples answers. Very sad, but, they will go-round-that mountain, again!
In my opinion, Buchannan is far from our worst President. THAT dubious honor goes to two who are still alive! Buchannan respected the law, that is largely a thing of the past.
