1856 saw the first Republican nominee in John C Fremont(1857-1865), and he managed a narrow victory against James Buchanan. Fremont's presidency was troubled presidency to say the least, his staunch abolitionist views led to a bloody civil war from 1858 to 1860. You either see him as a war hero who did what was right in the long term, or impetous and self-righteous. It makes me wonder what might have happened if Buchanan won instead. Many believed the more passive and experienced politician would've kept the war from happening, others say it was inevitable. What do you think would've happened if James Buchanan became president in 1857?