DBWI: Buchanan beats Fremont

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?
 
I assumed this was going to be about an act of violence?

No, that would be a Brooks candidacy, which would have The Pathfinder win indisputably. There was a great deal of controversy over the brough officals in most of NYC's counting skills, if I recall
 
Fremont was influential to say the least - from freeing the slaves, crushing the Cotton Rebellion, to his purchace of Alaska and Western British North America.

To replace him with a mediocre Pennsylvanian diplomat would be huge, and likely consequential. Silver lining, our first gay President.
 
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