Who was Franklin Pierce?
Franklin Pierce became President at a time of apparent tranquility. The United States, by virtue of the Compromise of 1850, seemed to have weathered its sectional storm. By pursuing the recommendations of southern advisers, Pierce – a New Englander – hoped to prevent still another outbreak of that storm. But his policies, far from preserving calm, hastened the disruption of the Union. Born in Hillsborough, New Hampshire, in 1804, Pierce attended Bowdoin College. After graduation he studied law, then entered politics. At 24 he was elected to the New Hampshire legislature; two years later he became its Speaker. During the 1830’s he went to Washington, first as a Representative, then as a Senator. Pierce, after serving in the Mexican War, was proposed by New Hampshire friends for the Presidential nomination in 1852. At the Democratic Convention, the delegates agreed easily enough upon a platform pledging undeviating support of the Compromise of 1850 and hostility to any efforts to agitate
Franklin Pierce was born in New Hampshire. He studied law, and at age 24 was elected to the New Hampshire legislature. Several years later, he served in the House of Representatives, then in the Senate. Pierce became the “dark horse” Presidential candidate after 48 ballots. He won by just over 200,000 popular votes, but with a seemingly overwhelming 254 to 42 electoral vote count. President Pierce was elected on the platform of support for the Compromise of 1850, but at his inauguration, he stated that foreign relations and the acquisition of additional land may be necessary for the survival of the United States. This angered some northerners, who feared that Pierce may be looking to extend slavery into whatever new territories were gained.
