James Buchanan and the American Empire

James Buchanan and the American Empire deals with the influence of James Buchanan of Pennsylvania on the direction of American foreign policy over a period of almost thirty years from 1832 to 1861. During those three decades Buchanan served as Andrew Jackson's minister to Russia, senator, secretary of state under James K. Polk, and Pierce's minister to the Court of St. James. From 1857 to 1861 he was president of the United States. During those tragic years, while presiding over the disintegration of the Union on the eve of the Civil War, he continued to pursue an aggressive but unsuccessful foreign policy.
This book is concerned with the significant part James Buchanan played in the foreign policy of the United States, his victories and his defeats, and his consuming desire to advance the cause of the American empire.