Martin Van Buren

Martin Van Buren Baptism record

Hannah van buren 2

Martin Van Buren 1

Floride Calhoun nee Colhoun

Francis Alexander - Martin Van Buren - Google Art Project

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Martin Van Buren (December 5, 1782 – July 24, 1862) was an American statesman who served as the eighth President of the United States from 1837 to 1841. A founder of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the ninth Governor of New York, the tenth United States Secretary of State, and the eighth Vice President of the United States. He won the presidency by defeating four candidates in the 1836 presidential election, becoming the first president to be born after the United States declared independence from Great Britain.

Early Life and Career

Born in Kinderhook, New York, to a Dutch family, Van Buren was educated as a lawyer and quickly became involved in New York politics as a member of the Democratic-Republican Party. His early political career included serving as a state senator and as attorney general of New York. He was a key figure in organizing the Democratic Party and was a principal architect of the party's structure.

Presidency

Van Buren's presidency was marked by the Panic of 1837, a major American financial crisis that led to a severe economic depression during his term. His administration faced criticism for its handling of the economy, and he was often blamed for the hardships that many Americans faced during this period. Despite these challenges, Van Buren pursued several important policies, including the establishment of an independent U.S. Treasury system and the enforcement of the Indian Removal Act, which led to the forced relocation of thousands of Native Americans in what is known as the Trail of Tears.

Post-Presidency

After losing the 1840 presidential election to William Henry Harrison, Van Buren remained active in politics. He opposed the annexation of Texas due to concerns that it would exacerbate sectional tensions between the North and South over the issue of slavery. In 1848, he ran for president again as a nominee of the Free Soil Party, a short-lived political party that opposed the expansion of slavery into the western territories. Although he did not win, his candidacy helped to raise awareness about the issue of slavery's expansion.

Legacy

Van Buren's legacy is complex. He is credited with helping to establish the two-party system in the United States and for his role in founding the Democratic Party. However, his presidency is often criticized for its handling of the Panic of 1837 and the Trail of Tears. Despite these controversies, he remains a significant figure in American political history.

Death

Martin Van Buren died on July 24, 1862, in Kinderhook, New York, at the age of 79. He is buried in the Kinderhook Reformed Church Cemetery in his hometown.

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