Conversation so far:
What did James Buchanan do in James Buchanan's final years?
The Civil War erupted within two months of Buchanan's retirement.
How did that effect him?
He supported the United States, writing to former colleagues that "the assault upon Sumter was the commencement of war by the Confederate states.
What was the response to his support?
also wrote a letter to his fellow Pennsylvania Democrats, urging them to "join the many thousands of brave & patriotic volunteers who are already in the field".
What did he do after that?
Buchanan spent most of his remaining years defending himself from public blame for the Civil War.

Question: How did the public blame him?
Self-contained rewrite: How did the public blame James Buchanan for the Civil War?