Question

in 1860, president james buchanan asserted that
no state had the constitutional right to secede from the united states.
the federal government had the authority to stop a state from seceding from the union.
south carolina could take fort sumter.
war had begun.
he was unwilling to compromise on the issue of slavery.

Explanation:

To solve this, we recall historical facts about President James Buchanan in 1860. Buchanan stated that no state had the constitutional right to secede (though he also claimed the federal government lacked authority to stop secession, but the first option here is accurate about the constitutional right). The other options: he didn't say the federal government could stop secession (he thought it lacked that power), South Carolina didn't take Fort Sumter under him (it was later), war hadn't begun, and he wasn't unwilling to compromise (he tried to compromise on slavery).

Answer:

A. no state had the constitutional right to secede from the United States.