1. James Buchanan
SRI Ranking: 42
Brookings Ranking: 43
The top spot among 15 least successful presidents of all time goes to James Buchanan, the 15th President of the United States. His presidency marked the eve of the American Civil War and his inability to reach a compromise between pro and anti-slavery supporters firmly put the United States on the road to war. The question remains if such compromise was even possible, considering the attitudes of all key players. The fact that his party has splintered into two factions, allowing Republicans to control the House of Representatives, effectively curtailing most of Buchanan initiatives. In 1860 Abraham Lincoln was elected president and almost immediately seven states declared secession. Buchanan failed to respond decisively and the first chapters of American greatest tragedy started to unfold.
