Early Life and Background
Franklin Pierce was born in Hillsborough, New Hampshire, on November 23, 1804. He was the sixth of eight children born to Benjamin Pierce, a Revolutionary War veteran and later governor of New Hampshire, and Anna Kendrick Pierce. Growing up in a politically active family, Pierce was exposed to public service and political discourse from an early age.
Pierce attended local schools and later enrolled at Bowdoin College in Maine, where he formed lifelong friendships with future literary figures Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. After graduating in 1824, Pierce studied law and was admitted to the New Hampshire bar in 1827, establishing a successful legal practice.
Early Political Career
Pierce’s political career began in the New Hampshire House of Representatives, where he served from 1829 to 1833, eventually becoming Speaker of the House. His leadership skills and political acumen quickly gained recognition, and he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1833.
Pierce served in the House until 1837 when he was elected to the U.S. Senate. As a senator, Pierce strongly supported President Andrew Jackson and his policies, including Jackson’s stance against the national bank and his advocacy for states’ rights. However, Pierce’s time in the Senate was relatively uneventful, and he resigned in 1842 to return to private law practice, citing his wife’s health and desire to spend more time with his family.
Rise to National Prominence
Despite his retirement from national politics, Pierce remained active in Democratic Party affairs and was a vocal advocate for the party’s platform. He served as a brigadier general in the Mexican-American War, although his military service was marred by injuries and illnesses that limited his effectiveness. Nevertheless, his participation in the war bolstered his reputation and increased his national visibility.
In the tumultuous election of 1852, the Democratic Party was deeply divided over slavery and sectional tensions. After 49 ballots at the Democratic National Convention, Pierce emerged as a compromise candidate, largely due to his moderate views and ability to unite the party’s factions. He won the election against Whig candidate Winfield Scott, becoming the 14th President of the United States.
Presidency (1853-1857)
Domestic Policy and the Issue of Slavery
Pierce’s presidency was dominated by the contentious issue of slavery and the growing sectional divide between the North and South. One of his administration’s most significant and controversial acts was the signing of the Kansas-Nebraska Act in 1854. The act, championed by Senator Stephen A. Douglas, effectively repealed the Missouri Compromise by allowing the residents of Kansas and Nebraska to decide the issue of slavery through popular sovereignty.
The Kansas-Nebraska Act led to violent clashes between pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers in Kansas, a period known as “Bleeding Kansas.” Pierce’s enforcement of the act and his support for pro-slavery factions in Kansas alienated many Northerners and intensified sectional tensions. The act’s passage also contributed to the collapse of the Whig Party and the rise of the Republican Party, which opposed the expansion of slavery.
Foreign Policy and Expansion
Pierce’s foreign policy was characterized by his expansionist ambitions and efforts to increase American influence abroad. As part of his vision of Manifest Destiny, he sought to acquire new territories, including Cuba and parts of Central America. In 1854, Pierce’s administration negotiated the Gadsden Purchase, acquiring land from Mexico that facilitated the construction of a southern transcontinental railroad route.
However, Pierce’s attempts to acquire Cuba through the Ostend Manifesto, a secret diplomatic proposal, backfired. The manifesto, which suggested that the United States should take Cuba by force if Spain refused to sell it, was leaked to the press and provoked outrage in the North, further straining sectional relations.
Personal Life and Tragedy
Franklin Pierce’s personal life was marked by profound tragedy. He married Jane Means Appleton in 1834, and the couple had three sons, all of whom died young. Their first son, Franklin Jr., died in infancy, their second son, Frank Robert, died at the age of four from typhus, and their third son, Benjamin, died in a train accident just weeks before Pierce’s inauguration. The loss of their children deeply affected both Franklin and Jane Pierce, casting a shadow over his presidency.
Jane Pierce, known for her fragile health and melancholic disposition, largely withdrew from public life during her husband’s presidency. Her grief and depression left Franklin Pierce without the support of a close partner, adding to the challenges he faced in office.
Interesting Aspects of Pierce’s Presidency
The Gadsden Purchase
One of the notable achievements of Pierce’s presidency was the Gadsden Purchase in 1854. The purchase involved acquiring 29,670 square miles of land from Mexico for $10 million, facilitating the construction of a southern transcontinental railroad. The acquisition expanded U.S. territory and improved transportation routes, although it did little to alleviate sectional tensions.
The Kansas-Nebraska Act and “Bleeding Kansas”
The Kansas-Nebraska Act, signed by Pierce, led to violent conflicts in Kansas as pro-slavery and anti-slavery settlers clashed over the territory’s future. This period of violence, known as “Bleeding Kansas,” highlighted the deep divisions within the country and foreshadowed the coming Civil War. Pierce’s handling of the situation and his support for pro-slavery interests further polarized the nation.
Legacy and Impact
Franklin Pierce’s presidency is often viewed as one of the least effective in American history, largely due to his failure to address the escalating sectional tensions and his support for policies that exacerbated the divide over slavery. His signing of the Kansas-Nebraska Act and his enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Law alienated many in the North and contributed to the rise of the Republican Party.
Despite the controversies of his presidency, Pierce’s expansionist policies and efforts to strengthen American influence abroad had a lasting impact. The Gadsden Purchase facilitated westward expansion and improved transportation infrastructure, while his attempts to acquire new territories reflected the era’s ambitions of Manifest Destiny.
Post-Presidency
After leaving office in 1857, Pierce retired to his home in Concord, New Hampshire. His later years were marked by personal struggles and continued involvement in public affairs. He remained a staunch Democrat and criticized the policies of his successors, particularly President Abraham Lincoln’s handling of the Civil War. Pierce’s opposition to the war and his pro-Southern sympathies further damaged his reputation in the North.
Pierce’s wife, Jane, died in 1863, deepening his sense of isolation and grief. Franklin Pierce himself passed away on October 8, 1869, from cirrhosis of the liver, likely exacerbated by his long-standing struggle with alcoholism.
Conclusion
Franklin Pierce’s life and presidency provide a complex and often tragic portrait of a leader who faced immense challenges during one of the most turbulent periods in American history. From his early political successes to his troubled presidency and personal losses, Pierce’s story reflects the nation’s struggles with sectional tensions and the issue of slavery.
While his presidency is often criticized for its failures and controversies, Pierce’s efforts to navigate the political landscape of his time and his expansionist vision had a lasting impact on the United States. His administration’s policies and decisions contributed to the conditions that ultimately led to the Civil War, making his tenure a significant, if contentious, chapter in American history.
Let’s learn more about Franklin Pierce from these recommended books…
Franklin Pierce: The American Presidents Series: The 14th President, 1853-1857 by Michael F. Holt
This biography, part of The American Presidents Series, offers a concise and insightful look at Franklin Pierce’s life and presidency. Michael F. Holt provides a balanced perspective on Pierce’s achievements and failures.
Franklin Pierce: New Hampshire’s Favorite Son by Peter A. Wallner
Peter A. Wallner’s detailed biography explores Pierce’s early life, political career, and presidency, focusing on his New Hampshire roots. The book provides an in-depth look at the factors that shaped Pierce’s character and leadership style.
Franklin Pierce by Roy Franklin Nichols
This classic biography by Roy Franklin Nichols offers a comprehensive account of Pierce’s life and presidency. The book delves into Pierce’s political philosophy, struggles, and impact on American history.
Young Hickory of the Granite Hills: Franklin Pierce by Roy Franklin Nichols
Another work by Roy Franklin Nichols, this biography thoroughly explores Pierce’s life, emphasizing his New England background and rise to national prominence. It’s an excellent resource for understanding the broader context of Pierce’s presidency.
Franklin Pierce: Martyr for the Union by Peter A. Wallner
This book focuses on Pierce’s presidency and his efforts to maintain the Union during intense sectional conflict. Peter A. Wallner offers a detailed analysis of Pierce’s policies and the challenges he faced while in office.