James Buchanan vs Qiying

Buchanan won the 1856 presidential election as a Democrat, defeating Republican John C. Fr

Buchanan influenced the Supreme Court's Dred Scott decision, which ruled that African Americans were not citizens and that Congress could not ban slavery in territories. The decision inflamed sectional tensions.

A financial panic caused by the collapse of the Ohio Life Insurance and Trust Company led to a nationwide depression. Buchanan's inaction and support for a pro-southern tariff deepened the crisis.

Buchanan supported the pro-slavery Lecompton Constitution for Kansas, which was rejected by Congress. His stance split the Democratic Party and further alienated Northern voters.

After Abraham Lincoln's election, Buchanan declared secession illegal but argued the federal government had no power to stop it. He took no action against seceding states, allowing the Confederacy to form.

Qiying, as Qing plenipotentiary, negotiated and signed the Treaty of Nanjing with Britain, ending the First Opium War. The treaty ceded Hong Kong, opened five treaty ports, and imposed an indemnity, marking the start of the unequal treaty system.

Qiying negotiated the Treaty of Wanghia with the United States, granting Americans extraterritoriality and most-favored-nation status. This further eroded Qing sovereignty and set a precedent for other Western powers.

Qiying was executed by the Qing court for his failure to negotiate effectively with the British during the Second Opium War. His death reflected the court's dissatisfaction with his handling of foreign affairs.