Franklin Pierce - 1853-1857
-Like Taylor, Pierce is chosen because he has no affiliation with the recent crises
-Tries to preserve the Union by avoiding the issue of slavery altogether
-Endorses the "Young America" ideology to distract the nation from slavery
-Continues Polk's diplomatic efforts to buy Cuba from Spain
-Results in the Ostend Manifesto being leaked
-James Gadsden purchases a small piece of land in the southwest from Mexico for $10 million to allow the construction of a transcontinental southern railroad
-Signs the Kansas-Nebraska Act, repudiating the Missouri Compromise
-Sends US troops into Kansas in 1855 to crush the rebellious anti-slavery Kansas legislature