Buchanan has long been criticized as one of the worst U.S. Presidents because of his inaction on the looming crisis of North vs. South, slavery supporters vs. anti-slavery states. I read that he was a Pennsylvanian, and this state, much like today, is an important swing state, and was basically responsible for his election victory. This helps explain why Lincoln became the 1860 Republican nominee instead of the better-known Seward (Governor of New York).
New York was considered relatively safe for the GOP no matter who they ran, but a "favorite son" candidate could flip those lower north states that Buchanan carried in '56. That was a big boost for Lincoln (who'd grown up in Indiana and moved to Illinois as a young adult)
Interesting that Millard Fillmore carried Maryland, he was the last President to not be a Republican or a Democrat (Whig)
brilliantmaps.com
New York was considered relatively safe for the GOP no matter who they ran, but a "favorite son" candidate could flip those lower north states that Buchanan carried in '56. That was a big boost for Lincoln (who'd grown up in Indiana and moved to Illinois as a young adult)
Interesting that Millard Fillmore carried Maryland, he was the last President to not be a Republican or a Democrat (Whig)
1856 US Presidential Election Map: Buchanan vs Frémont vs Fillmore - Brilliant Maps
The map above shows the result of the 1856 US presidential election between James Buchanan, John C. Frémont and Millard Fillmore. Turnout for the election was
brilliantmaps.com
