12/5/1782 – 7/24/1862
Party: Democratic
Timeline; 1837-1841
#8 Martin Van Buren- The Master Organizer
Van Buren gained his fame as a political organizer and an accomplished lawyer as well as building the organizational structure for the Democratic Party, primarily in New York where he also held titles of Senator (1821-1828) and Governor (1829). He also held position of Secretary of State (1829-1831), prime minister to United Kingdom (1831-1832) and Vice President (1833-1937). He was the first President to be born an American citizen, rather than British subject.
1837;
- At the age of 54, Van Buren becomes 8th President of the United States. Richard M. Johnson is his V.P.
- The Panic of 1837 begins in New York
- Rebellion erupts in upper and lower Canada against British, Americans get involved
- Britain seizes American steamship Caroline supplying aid to Canadian militia
- Michigan (free) becomes the 26th state of the Union
PANIC OF 1837
1838;
- Aroostook War begins
- Van Buren criticizes Britain over the Caroline Affair but remains in a neutral stance with the Neutrality Law of 1838
DESTRUCTION OF CAROLINE
1839;
- Aroostook War ends
- Van Buren secures agreement with England over two slave ships, then seizes another mutinous one, Amistad
LA AMISTAD
1840;
- Van Buren signs the Independent Treasury Act
- Hearings of the Amistad determined the right to send the ship back to its owner, but the slaves were freed to Africa
Van Buren lost re-election, where he was dubbed by newspapers as “Martin Van Ruin” over his inability to deal with the economic chaos that was the Depression of 1837 and for his stance against the annexation of Texas.
Famous quotes;
“The less government interferes with private pursuits, the better for general prosperity.”
“I cannot expect to perform the task with equal ability and success.”
“I tread in the footsteps of illustrious men… in receiving from