d) Franklin Pierce

Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States, served before James Buchanan and is often criticized for his weak leadership and support of the Kansas-Nebraska Act. His presidency, which lasted from 1853 to 1857, was marked by his controversial stance on issues of slavery and territorial expansion. The Kansas-Nebraska Act, passed during his administration, allowed for the possibility of slavery in new territories, leading to increased tensions between the North and the South. Pierce’s support of this act and his inability to effectively address the divisive issues of his time contributed to the growing unrest that eventually led to the American Civil War.