Martin Van Buren

Martin Van Buren
source
Name	Martin Van Buren
Caption	Martin Van Buren, c. 1855–1858
Order	8th
Office	President of the United States
Term start	March 4, 1837
Term end	March 4, 1841
Vicepresident	Richard M. Johnson
Predecessor	Andrew Jackson
Successor	William Henry Harrison
Order2	8th
Office2	Vice President of the United States
Term start2	March 4, 1833
Term end2	March 4, 1837
President2	Andrew Jackson
Predecessor2	John C. Calhoun
Successor2	Richard M. Johnson
Office3	10th United States Secretary of State
Term start3	March 28, 1829
Term end3	May 23, 1831
President3	Andrew Jackson
Predecessor3	Henry Clay
Successor3	Edward Livingston
Office4	9th Governor of New York
Term start4	January 1, 1829
Term end4	March 12, 1829
Predecessor4	Nathaniel Pitcher
Successor4	Enos T. Throop
Office5	United States Senator from New York
Term start5	March 4, 1821
Term end5	December 20, 1828
Predecessor5	Nathan Sanford
Successor5	Charles E. Dudley
Birth date	5 December 1782
Birth place	Kinderhook, New York, U.S.
Death date	24 July 1862
Death place	Kinderhook, New York, U.S.
Party	Democratic-Republican (before 1825), Democratic (1828–1848, 1852–1862), Free Soil (1848–1854)
Spouse	Hannah Hoes, 1807, 1819
Signature alt	Cursive signature in ink

Martin Van Buren was the eighth President of the United States, serving from 1837 to 1841. A key organizer of the Democratic Party and a principal architect of the Second Party System, he was the first president born a citizen of the United States and not a British subject. His presidency was dominated by the severe economic crisis known as the Panic of 1837, which led to his defeat for re-election.

Early life and career

Born in Kinderhook, New York, to a family of Dutch descent, he was apprenticed to a local lawyer before establishing his own practice. He entered politics as a supporter of the Democratic-Republican Party, serving as a state senator and Attorney General of New York. He built a powerful political machine known as the Albany Regency, which dominated New York politics. Elected to the United States Senate in 1821, he became a leading national figure, organizing opposition to President John Quincy Adams and helping form the coalition that elected Andrew Jackson in 1828. He briefly served as Governor of New York before becoming Jackson's Secretary of State and later his Vice President.

Presidency (1837–1841)

Van Buren's inauguration coincided with the beginning of a major financial panic, triggered in part by the policies of his predecessor, including the Specie Circular and the demise of the Second Bank of the United States. His response included advocating for the establishment of an independent Treasury system to hold government funds, a measure opposed by the Whig Party and not enacted until 1840. His administration was marked by the continuance of Jacksonian policies, including the brutal forced relocation of Native Americans during the Trail of Tears. In foreign affairs, he successfully maintained peace with Great Britain during tensions along the northeastern border in the Aroostook War and upheld neutrality during the Texas rebellion against Mexico.

Later political career and retirement

Defeated by William Henry Harrison in the 1840 election, he sought the Democratic nomination again in 1844 but lost to James K. Polk over his opposition to the annexation of Texas. His stance against the expansion of slavery into new territories led him to accept the nomination of the Free Soil Party in the 1848 presidential election, splitting the Democratic vote and contributing to the election of Zachary Taylor. He retired to his estate, Lindenwald, in Kinderhook, where he wrote his autobiography and remained a vocal critic of southern secession in the years leading up to the American Civil War.

Legacy and historical view

Often called "the Little Magician" for his political skill and "the Fox of Kinderhook," Van Buren is primarily remembered as a master political organizer who helped define the modern political party system. Historians credit him with foundational work in building the Jacksonian Democratic coalition, though his presidency is generally ranked as average or below average due to his inability to overcome the economic depression of the late 1830s. His most enduring political creation, the Democratic Party, remains one of the world's oldest active political parties.

Category:Martin Van Buren Category:1782 births Category:1862 deaths Category:Presidents of the United States Category:Vice presidents of the United States Category:United States secretaries of state Category:Governors of New York (state) Category:United States senators from New York (state)