Franklin Pierce entered the White House carrying deep personal tragedy and a nation growing more divided by the day. Often remembered as one of America’s most overlooked presidents, Pierce struggled to hold the country together as tensions over slavery pushed the Union closer to conflict. From the controversial Kansas–Nebraska Act to the political battles that defined his administration, his presidency raises difficult questions about leadership during a crisis. How did Franklin Pierce remain united in a time of great division? Find out in this episode of Presidents Unplugged.

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