Franklin Pierce was a man that was destined to political greatness. He was the son of a politician, but his childhood wasn’t as silver spoonlike as many people may think. His mother struggled with frequent bouts of depression that she attempted to cure through alcoholism. These traits would also be something with which Pierce would struggle throughout his life as well. Here are some interesting facts about the man who served as the 14th President of the United States.
1. A Passionate Fighter
Even though he was a politician at heart, Pierce was also a fighter. When the Mexican American War was waging, he begged the President at the time, James Polk, for an officer’s commission so that he could join the fight. Polk obliged and Pierce was given the rank of Brigadier General. This was despite the fact that Pierce had never served a day in the military before being given the commission. He initially made a name for himself because he injured himself by falling off his horse. Then he made a name for himself by helping to capture Mexico City.
2. An Interesting Election
Pierce was elected in 1852 as President, near the height of the slavery debate that was going on between the North and the South. Pierce was actually for slavery, which made him an attractive Democratic candidate. In the election, he actually defeated his former commanding officer in the war, General Winfield Scott. The election was close, but it was his personality that won the day for Pierce. This was despite the fact that his alcoholism was one of the debate points.
3. He Completed the Gadsden Purchase
Many of the lands that the United States had captured during its war with Mexico were given back. At the time, Mexico extended into parts of Arizona and New Mexico, but Pierce arranged for their sale through what would become known as the Gadsden Purchase. There were two reasons why the purchase was ultimately approved: it would help to promote the transcontinental railroad and it would settle a number of the border disputes that were happening.
4. A Tough Life
Pierce was married in 1834 and he and his wife had three sons together. The only problem was that all three sons passed away before the age of 12. His wife struggled with the losses and it ultimately caused Pierce to retire from public office. By 1856, his popularity in the nation was extremely low, so the Democratic party didn’t even nominate him to run for a second term. He spent time with his wife touring Europe instead.
5. Confederate Connections
Pierce was not in favor of the Civil War, but he did have sympathies for the Confederacy. The man who would lead the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis, served as Pierce’s Secretary of War. Many people say Pierce as a traitor during the war because of his stances on slavery, especially in the north, and that may very well be why his name has all but been erased from many history lessons.
Franklin Pierce took office during a period of expansionism while the fight for slavery began to heat up. Most uniquely, he refused to swear an oath of office on the Bible, choosing to affirm his oath on a law book. That event spoke volumes of the independent nature of Pierce, one that brought him into office at the young age of 48.
