Martin Van Buren
1837-1841 DemocratTrail of Tears; Specie Circular; Panic of 1837
Martin Van Buren (1782-1862) was the eighth President of the United States, serving from 1837 to 1841. He was born in Kinderhook, New York to a family of Dutch descent. Van Buren began his political career as a lawyer and quickly rose in the ranks of the Democratic-Republican Party, serving as a U.S. Senator, governor of New York, and Secretary of State under President Andrew Jackson.
Van Buren was known for his support of states’ rights and his opposition to the Second Bank of the United States, which he believed to be a corrupt institution that favored the wealthy elite over the common man. During his presidency, he faced several major challenges, including economic depression, Native American conflicts in the West, and a contentious relationship with Great Britain over trade policies.
One of Van Buren’s major accomplishments was the establishment of an independent Treasury system, which separated the federal government’s finances from private banks. He also laid important groundwork for the modern two-party political system by founding the Democratic Party and establishing a system of patronage that rewarded party loyalty.
Overall, Van Buren’s presidency was marked by political divisions and economic struggles, but he is remembered as an important figure in American political history, both for his contributions to the development of the Democratic Party and for his efforts to reform the nation’s financial system.
More Answers:
The Yalta Conference: Key Agreements Made by Three Major Allied Powers for Post-War ReorganizationUnderstanding the Big Three: Dominant Players in Various Industries and Sectors
The Nullification Crisis: A Battle Between States’ Rights and Federal Power in 1832-33.