Years in Office: 1853 to 1857

Franklin Pierce's natural good looks and pleasant way with people helped him win easy political victories. An outstanding lawyer, he was elected to the House of Representatives at the age of 29. At the 34 he was elected to the Senate. While president the U.S. Senate made the Gadsden Purchase which acquired land in the South West from Mexico, the Kansas-Nebraska Act was passed making slavery possible in large areas in the West.

Pierce's support of this act angered people in Northern States. This along with supporting the rights of new immigrants to the country made him unpopular and weakened the Democratic and Republican Party was formed between 1854 and 1856. At Christmas time in 1855, carolers sang "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" for the first time. The most popular songs of this era were written by Stephen Foster.