Democrat James Buchanan took office in 1857 after defeating Pierce at the 1856 Democratic National Convention and subsequently winning the 1856 presidential election . Anticipating that his administration would concentrate on foreign policy and that Buchanan himself would largely direct foreign policy , he appointed the aging Lewis Cass as Secretary of State . Cass would become marginalized in Buchanan 's administration , with Buchanan and Assistant Secretary of State John Appleton instead directing foreign affairs
1856 Democratic National Convention
1856 Democratic National Convention
History of U.S. foreign policy, 1829–1861