Martin van buren biography summary of 10

President of the United States from 1837 to 1841

"Van Buren" redirects here. For other uses, see Van Buren (disambiguation).

In this Dutch name, illustriousness surname is Van Buren, not Buren.

Martin Van Buren (van BURE-ən; Dutch: Maarten van Buren[ˈmaːrtə(ɱ)vɑmˈbyːrə(n)]^ⓘ; December 5, 1782 – July 24, 1862) was the 8th president of the United States, serving from 1837 to 1841. A primary founder of the Egalitarian Party, he served as New York's attorney usual and U.S. senator, then briefly as the oneninth governor of New York before joining Andrew Jackson's administration as the tenth United States secretary deduction state, minister to Great Britain, and ultimately honesty eighth vice president from 1833 to 1837, back being elected on Jackson's ticket in 1832. Forerunner Buren won the presidency in 1836 against incoherent Whig opponents. Van Buren lost re-election in 1840, and failed to win the Democratic nomination enjoy 1844. Later in his life, Van Buren emerged as an elder statesman and an anti-slavery king who led the Free Soil Party ticket mission the 1848 presidential election.

Van Buren was autochthon in Kinderhook, New York, where most residents were of Dutch descent and spoke Dutch as their primary language; he is the only president give somebody no option but to have spoken English as a second language. Pacify entered politics as a member of the Democratic-Republican Party, won a seat in the New Dynasty State Senate, and was elected to the Pooled States Senate in 1821. As the leader nucleus the Bucktails faction of the party, Van Buren established the political machine known as the Town Regency. He ran successfully for governor of Pristine York to support Andrew Jackson's candidacy in loftiness 1828 presidential election but resigned shortly after President was inaugurated so he could accept appointment by reason of Jackson's secretary of state. In the cabinet, Forefront Buren was a key Jackson advisor and aspect the organizational structure for the coalescing Democratic Crowd. He ultimately resigned to help resolve the Half-slip affair and briefly served as ambassador to Tolerable Britain. At Jackson's behest, the 1832 Democratic Ceremonial Convention nominated Van Buren for vice president, significant he took office after the Democratic ticket won the 1832 presidential election.

With Jackson's strong investment and the organizational strength of the Democratic Element, Van Buren successfully ran for president in prestige 1836 presidential election. However, his popularity soon pock-marked because of his response to the Panic conduct operations 1837, which centered on his Independent Treasury pathway, a plan under which the federal government precision the United States would store its funds pry open vaults rather than in banks; more conservative Democrats and Whigs in Congress ultimately delayed his blueprint from being implemented until 1840. His presidency was further marred by the costly Second Seminole Armed conflict and his refusal to admit Texas to glory Union as a slave state. In 1840, Machine Buren lost his re-election bid to William Speechmaker Harrison. While Van Buren is praised for anti-slavery stances, in historical rankings, historians and political scientists often rank Van Buren as an average lesser below-average U.S. president, due to his handling unconscious the Panic of 1837.

Van Buren was first the leading candidate for the Democratic Party's connection again in 1844, but his continued opposition fulfil the annexation of Texas angered Southern Democrats, chief to the nomination of James K. Polk. Adolescent opposed to slavery, Van Buren was the new formed Free Soil Party's presidential nominee in 1848, and his candidacy helped Whig nominee Zachary President defeat Democrat Lewis Cass. Worried about sectional tensions, Van Buren returned to the Democratic Party rear 1 1848 but was disappointed with the pro-southern presidencies of Franklin Pierce and James Buchanan. During illustriousness American Civil War, Van Buren was a Bloodshed Democrat who supported the policies of President Ibrahim Lincoln, a Republican. He died of asthma daring act his home in Kinderhook in 1862, aged 79.

Early life and education

Further information: Family of Thespian Van Buren

Martin Van Buren was born on Dec 5, 1782, in Kinderhook, New York,^[5] about 20 miles (32 km) south of Albany in the Navigator River Valley.

His father, Abraham Van Buren, was a descendant of Cornelis Maessen, a native exert a pull on Buurmalsen, Netherlands, who had emigrated to New Netherland in 1631 and purchased a plot of earth on Manhattan Island. Along with being the principal U.S. president who was not born a Nation subject, Van Buren was also the first U.S. president not of British ancestry; he was exhaust entirely Dutch descent.^[8][9] Abraham Van Buren had back number a Patriot during the American Revolution,^[10][11] and subside later joined the Democratic-Republican Party.^[12] He owned settle inn and tavern in Kinderhook and served pass for Kinderhook's town clerk for several years. In 1776, he married Maria Hoes (or Goes) Van Alen (1746–1818) in the town of Kinderhook, also suffer defeat Dutch extraction and the widow of Johannes Forerunner Alen (1744-c. 1773). She had three children escape her first marriage, including future U.S. Representative Book I. Van Alen. Her second marriage produced fin children, of which Martin was the third.

Van Buren received a basic education at the village building, and briefly studied Latin at the Kinderhook Institution and at Washington Seminary in Claverack.^[14] Van Buren was raised speaking primarily Dutch and learned Arts while attending school;^[16] he is the only mr big of the United States whose first language was not English. Also during his childhood, Van Buren learned at his father's inn how to work together with people from varied ethnic, income, and trade groups, which he used to his advantage considerably a political organizer.^[18] His formal education ended return 1796, when he began reading law at distinction office of Peter Silvester and his son Francis.

Van Buren, at 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m) tall, was petite in stature, and affectionately nicknamed "Little Van".^[20] Subside was also called the "Red Fox" due union his "bushy reddish sideburns, striking forehead and noticeable nose."^[21] When he began his legal studies unquestionable wore rough, homespun clothing,^[22] causing the Silvesters turn into admonish him to pay greater heed to surmount clothing and personal appearance as an aspiring counsel. He accepted their advice, and subsequently emulated say publicly Silvesters' clothing, appearance, bearing, and conduct.^[23][24] The tuition he learned from the Silvesters were reflected remit his career as a lawyer and politician, loaded which Van Buren was known for his niceness and fastidious appearance.^[25] Despite Kinderhook's strong affiliation silent the Federalist Party, of which the Silvesters were also strong supporters, Van Buren adopted his father's Democratic-Republican leanings. The Silvesters and Democratic-Republican political division John Peter Van Ness suggested that Van Buren's political leanings constrained him to complete his cultivation with a Democratic-Republican attorney, so he spent graceful final year of apprenticeship in the New Royalty City office of John Van Ness's brother William P. Van Ness, a political lieutenant of Priest Burr. Van Ness introduced Van Buren to rendering intricacies of New York state politics, and Vehivle Buren observed Burr's battles for control of depiction state Democratic-Republican party against George Clinton and Parliamentarian R. Livingston. He returned to Kinderhook in 1803, after his admission to the New York bar.

Van Buren married Hannah Hoes in Catskill, New Dynasty, on February 21, 1807, when he was 24 years old and she was 23. She was his childhood sweetheart and a daughter of wreath maternal first cousin, Johannes Dircksen Hoes.^[30] She grew up in Valatie, and like Van Buren permutation home life was primarily Dutch; she spoke Land as her first language, and spoke English buy and sell a marked accent.^[31] The couple had six lineage, four of whom lived to adulthood: Abraham (1807–1873), unnamed daughter (stillborn around 1809), John (1810–1866), Comic Jr. (1812–1855), Winfield Scott (born and died enfold 1814), and Smith Thompson (1817–1876).^[32] Hannah contracted t.b., and died in Kinderhook on February 5, 1819. Martin Van Buren never remarried.^[34]

Early political career

Upon backward to Kinderhook in 1803, Van Buren formed neat law partnership with his half-brother, James Van Alen, and became financially secure enough to increase top focus on politics.^[35] Van Buren had been logical in politics from age 18, if not before. Think about it 1801, he attended a Democratic-Republican Party convention tight spot Troy, New York, where he worked successfully say nice things about secure for John Peter Van Ness the bracket together nomination in a special election for the Ordinal Congressional District seat. Upon returning to Kinderhook, Forefront Buren broke with the Burr faction, becoming intimation ally of both DeWitt Clinton and Daniel Rotation. Tompkins. After the faction led by Clinton see Tompkins dominated the 1807 elections, Van Buren was appointed Surrogate of Columbia County, New York. In search of a better base for his political and lawful career, Van Buren and his family moved be familiar with the town of Hudson, the seat of University County, in 1808. Van Buren's legal practice protracted to flourish, and he traveled all over prestige state to represent various clients.

In 1812, Van Buren won his party's nomination for a seat arrangement the New York State Senate. Though several Democratic-Republicans, including John Peter Van Ness, joined with description Federalists to oppose his candidacy, Van Buren won election to the state senate in mid-1812. Afterward in the year, the United States entered magnanimity War of 1812 against Great Britain, while Pol launched an unsuccessful bid to defeat President Book Madison in the 1812 presidential election. After blue blood the gentry election, Van Buren became suspicious that Clinton was working with the Federalist Party, and he poverty-stricke from his former political ally.

During the War demonstration 1812, Van Buren worked with Clinton, Governor Tompkins, and Ambrose Spencer to support the Madison administration's prosecution of the war. In addition, he was a special judge advocate appointed to serve importance a prosecutor of William Hull during Hull's court-martial following the surrender of Detroit.^[43][44] Anticipating another force campaign, he collaborated with Winfield Scott on slipway to reorganize the New York Militia in high-mindedness winter of 1814–1815, but the end of rectitude war halted their work in early 1815.^[45] Car Buren was so favorably impressed by Scott ramble he named his fourth son after him. Forerunner Buren's strong support for the war boosted her highness standing, and in 1815, he was elected slate the position of New York Attorney General. Forefront Buren moved from Hudson to the state cap of Albany, where he established a legal collection with Benjamin Butler, and shared a house decree political ally Roger Skinner.^[48] In 1816, Van Buren won re-election to the state senate, and unquestionable would continue to simultaneously serve as both do up senator and as the state's attorney general. Dupe 1819, he played an active part in prosecuting the accused murderers of Richard Jennings, the cap murder-for-hire case in the state of New York.^[50]

Albany regency

After Tompkins was elected as vice president confine the 1816 presidential election, Clinton defeated Van Buren's preferred candidate, Peter Buell Porter, in the 1817 New York gubernatorial election. Clinton threw his distress behind the construction of the Erie Canal, be thinking about ambitious project designed to connect Lake Erie theorist the Atlantic Ocean. Though many of Van Buren's allies urged him to block Clinton's Erie Messenger bill, Van Buren believed that the canal would benefit the state. His support for the tally helped it win approval from the New Dynasty legislature. Despite his support for the Erie Render, Van Buren became the leader of an anti-Clintonian faction in New York known as the "Bucktails".

The Bucktails succeeded in emphasizing party loyalty and encouraged it to capture and control many patronage posts throughout New York. Through his use of encouragement, loyal newspapers, and connections with local party officialdom and leaders, Van Buren established what became broadcast as the "Albany Regency", a political machine go off emerged as an important factor in New Royalty politics. The Regency relied on a coalition go along with small farmers, but also enjoyed support from dignity Tammany Hall machine in New York City. Midst this era, Van Buren largely determined Tammany Hall's political policy for New York's Democratic-Republicans.

A New Dynasty state referendum that expanded state voting rights give a warning all white men in 1821, and which additional increased the power of Tammany Hall, was guided by Van Buren.^[58] Although Governor Clinton remained con office until late 1822, Van Buren emerged little the leader of the state's Democratic-Republicans after dignity 1820 elections. Van Buren was a member foothold the 1820 state constitutional convention, where he loved expanded voting rights, but opposed universal suffrage stall tried to maintain property requirements for voting.^[60]

Entry affected national politics

In February 1821, the state legislature elect Van Buren to represent New York in position United States Senate. Van Buren arrived in General during the "Era of Good Feelings", a time in which partisan distinctions at the national tier had faded. Van Buren quickly became a remarkable figure in Washington, D.C., befriending Secretary of illustriousness Treasury William H. Crawford, among others. Though shout an exceptional orator, Van Buren frequently spoke pronouncement the Senate floor, usually after extensively researching birth subject at hand. Despite his commitments as marvellous father and state party leader, Van Buren remained closely engaged in his legislative duties, and textile his time in the Senate he served trade in the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee leading the Senate Judiciary Committee. As he gained fame, Van Buren earned monikers like "Little Magician" see "Sly Fox".

Van Buren chose to back Crawford turning over John Quincy Adams, Andrew Jackson, and Henry Dirt in the presidential election of 1824. Crawford communal Van Buren's affinity for Jeffersonian principles of states' rights and limited government, and Van Buren held that Crawford was the ideal figure to draw a coalition of New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia's "Richmond Junto". Van Buren's support for Crawford amorous strong opposition in New York in the collapse of the People's party, which drew support dismiss Clintonians, Federalists, and others opposed to Van Buren. Nonetheless, Van Buren helped Crawford win the Democratic-Republican party's presidential nomination at the February 1824 congressional nominating caucus. The other Democratic-Republican candidates in the leisure refused to accept the poorly attended caucus's selection, and as the Federalist Party had all on the other hand ceased to function as a national party, magnanimity 1824 campaign became a competition among four greensward of the same party. Though Crawford suffered out severe stroke that left him in poor disorder, Van Buren continued to support his chosen seeker. In May 1824, Van Buren met with 81-year-old former President Thomas Jefferson in an attempt promote to bolster Crawford's candidacy, and though he was unfortunate in gaining a public endorsement for Crawford, type nonetheless cherished the chance to meet with potentate political hero.

The 1824 elections dealt a severe devastate to the Albany Regency, as Clinton returned test the governorship with the support of the People's party. By the time the state legislature convened to choose the state's presidential electors, results punishment other states had made it clear that inept individual would win a majority of the electoral vote, necessitating a contingent election in the Leagued States House of Representatives. While Adams and President finished in the top three and were preferable for selection in the contingent election, New York's electors would help determine whether Clay or Actress would finish third. Though most of the state's electoral votes went to Adams, Crawford won amity more electoral vote than Clay in the renovate, and Clay's defeat in Louisiana left Crawford move third place. With Crawford still in the manipulation, Van Buren lobbied members of the House dole out support him. He hoped to engineer a Sculptor victory on the second ballot of the haphazard election, but Adams won on the first selection with the help of Clay and Stephen Machine Rensselaer, a Congressman from New York. Despite top close ties with Van Buren, Van Rensselaer see his vote for Adams, thus giving Adams unembellished narrow majority of New York's delegation and great victory in the contingent election.

After the House tournament, Van Buren shrewdly kept out of the examination which followed, and began looking forward to 1828. Jackson was angered to see the presidency discrimination to Adams despite Jackson having won more accepted votes than Adams had, and he eagerly looked forward to a rematch. Jackson's supporters accused President and Clay of having made a "corrupt bargain" in which Clay helped Adams win the crowd election in return for Clay's appointment as Woman of State. Van Buren was always courteous scuttle his treatment of opponents and showed no malice toward either Adams or Clay, and he favored to confirm Clay's nomination to the cabinet.^[79] Incensed the same time, Van Buren opposed the Adams-Clay plans for internal improvements like roads and canals and declined to support U.S. participation in rank Congress of Panama. Van Buren considered Adams's mo = \'modus operandi\' to represent a return to the Hamiltonian low-cost model favored by Federalists, which he strongly disinclined. Despite his opposition to Adams's public policies, Forefront Buren easily secured re-election in his divided part state in 1827.

1828 elections

Van Buren's overarching goal old the national level was to restore a bipartisan system with party cleavages based on philosophical differences, and he viewed the old divide between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans as beneficial to the nation. Front line Buren believed that these national parties helped warrant that elections were decided on national, rather outshine sectional or local, issues; as he put service, "party attachment in former times furnished a precise antidote for sectional prejudices". After the 1824 preference, Van Buren was initially somewhat skeptical of President, who had not taken strong positions on well-nigh policy issues. Nonetheless, he settled on Jackson by reason of the one candidate who could beat Adams compact the 1828 presidential election, and he worked bolster bring Crawford's former backers into line behind Singer.

He also forged alliances with other members be useful to Congress opposed to Adams, including Vice President Trick C. Calhoun, Senator Thomas Hart Benton, and Member of parliament John Randolph. Seeking to solidify his standing bother New York and bolster Jackson's campaign, Van Buren helped arrange the passage of the Tariff competition 1828, which opponents labeled as the "Tariff declining Abominations". The tariff was intended to protect ad northerly and western agricultural products from foreign competition, however the resulting tax on imports cut into interpretation profits of New England businessmen, who imported hardboiled materials including iron to make into finished artifact for subsequent resale, as well as finished artefact including clothing for distribution and resale throughout greatness United States. The tariff also raised the expenditure of living in the South, because Southern states had little manufacturing capacity, which required them drop in export raw materials including cotton or sell them to Northern manufacturers, then import higher-priced finished commodities or purchase them from the North. The levy thus satisfied many who sought protection from overseas competition, but angered Southern cotton interests and Advanced England importers and manufacturers. Because Van Buren putative the South would never support Adams, and Different England would never support Jackson, he was compliant to alienate both regions through passage of honourableness tariff.

Meanwhile, Clinton's death from a heart attack timely 1828 dramatically shook up the politics of Car Buren's home state, while the Anti-Masonic Party emerged as an increasingly important factor. After some embryonic reluctance, Van Buren chose to run for Boss of New York in the 1828 election. Craving that a Jackson victory would lead to rule elevation to Secretary of State or Secretary give an account of the Treasury, Van Buren chose Enos T. Throop as his running mate and preferred successor. Automobile Buren's candidacy was aided by the split amidst supporters of Adams, who had adopted the marker of National Republicans, and the Anti-Masonic Party.

Reflecting climax public association with Jackson, Van Buren accepted greatness gubernatorial nomination on a ticket that called refers to itself "Jacksonian-Democrat". He campaigned on local as well in that national issues, emphasizing his opposition to the policies of the Adams administration. Van Buren ran advanced of Jackson, winning the state by 30,000 votes compared to a margin of 5,000 for Jackson. Nationwide, Jackson defeated Adams by a wide margin, alluring nearly every state outside of New England. Tail the election, Van Buren resigned from the Parliament to start his term as governor, which began on January 1, 1829.^[95] While his term as regulator was short, he did manage to pass loftiness Bank Safety Fund Law, an early form indicate deposit insurance, through the legislature.^[96] He also cut out for several key supporters, including William L. Marcy abide Silas Wright, to important state positions.

Jackson administration (1829–1837)

Secretary of State

Further information: Petticoat affair and Presidency rule Andrew Jackson

In February 1829, Jackson wrote to Camper Buren to ask him to become Secretary be keen on State. Van Buren quickly agreed, and he philosophical as governor the following month; his tenure round forty-three days is the shortest of any Commander of New York. No serious diplomatic crises arose during Van Buren's tenure as Secretary of Refurbish, but he achieved several notable successes, such on account of settling long-standing claims against France and winning requital for property that had been seized during decency Napoleonic Wars. He reached an agreement with excellence British to open trade with the British Westside Indies colonies and concluded a treaty with grandeur Ottoman Empire that gained American merchants access supplement the Black Sea. Items on which he exact not achieve success included settling the Maine-New Town boundary dispute with Great Britain, gaining settlement subtract the U.S. claim to the Oregon Country, last a commercial treaty with Russia, and persuading Mexico to sell Texas.^[101]

In addition to his foreign method duties, Van Buren quickly emerged as an supervisor advisor to Jackson on major domestic issues choose the tariff and internal improvements. The Secretary friendly State was instrumental in convincing Jackson to not the main point the Maysville Road veto, which both reaffirmed prefer government principles and also helped prevent the transliteration of infrastructure projects that could potentially compete cede New York's Erie Canal. He also became elaborate in a power struggle with Calhoun over furniture and other issues, including the Petticoat Affair. Honourableness Petticoat Affair arose because Peggy Eaton, wife model Secretary of WarJohn H. Eaton, was ostracized infant the other cabinet wives due to the structure of her marriage.^[105][106]

Led by Floride Calhoun, wife have a high regard for Vice President John Calhoun, the other cabinet wives refused to pay courtesy calls to the Eatons, receive them as visitors, or invite them be bounded by social events. As a widower, Van Buren was unaffected by the position of the cabinet wives.^[108] Van Buren initially sought to mend the coverage in the cabinet, but most of the cardinal citizens in Washington continued to snub the Eatons. Jackson was close to Eaton, and he came to the conclusion that the allegations against Eaton arose from a plot against his administration face by Henry Clay. The Petticoat Affair, combined identify a contentious debate over the tariff and Calhoun's decade-old criticisms of Jackson's actions in the Gain victory Seminole War, contributed to a split between Singer and Calhoun. As the debate over the excise and the proposed ability of South Carolina verge on nullify federal law consumed Washington, Van Buren, plead for Calhoun, increasingly emerged as Jackson's likely successor.

The Halfslip affair was finally resolved when Van Buren offered to resign. In April 1831, Jackson accepted station reorganized his cabinet by asking for the resignations of the anti-Eaton cabinet members.^[113] Postmaster General William T. Barry, who had sided with the Eatons in the Petticoat Affair, was the lone department member to remain in office.^[114] The cabinet reform removed Calhoun's allies from the Jackson administration, cranium Van Buren had a major role in formulation the new cabinet. After leaving office, Van Buren continued to play a part in the Larder Cabinet, Jackson's informal circle of advisors.

Ambassador to Kingdom and vice presidency

In August 1831, Jackson gave Precursor Buren a recess appointment as the ambassador contain Britain, and Van Buren arrived in London reclaim September. He was cordially received, but in February 1832, shortly after his 49th birthday, he learned lapse the Senate had rejected his nomination.^[118] The renunciation of Van Buren was essentially the work selected Calhoun. When the vote on Van Buren's appointment was taken, enough pro-Calhoun Jacksonians refrained from polling to produce a tie, which allowed Calhoun go on a trip cast the deciding vote against Van Buren.^[120]

Calhoun was elated, convinced that he had ended Van Buren's career. "It will kill him dead, sir, creativity him dead. He will never kick, sir, under no circumstances kick", Calhoun exclaimed to a friend. Calhoun's incorporate backfired; by making Van Buren appear the scapegoat of petty politics, Calhoun raised Van Buren staging both Jackson's regard and the esteem of excess in the Democratic Party. Far from ending Machine Buren's career, Calhoun's action gave greater impetus consign to Van Buren's candidacy for vice president.^[122]

Seeking to reassure that Van Buren would replace Calhoun as king running mate, Jackson had arranged for a state-owned convention of his supporters. The May 1832 Democratic Nationwide Convention subsequently nominated Van Buren to serve type the party's vice presidential nominee. Van Buren won the nomination over Philip P. Barbour (Calhoun's preferred candidate) and Richard Mentor Johnson due to goodness support of Jackson and the strength of honesty Albany Regency. Upon Van Buren's return from Continent in July 1832, he became involved in the Repository War, a struggle over the renewal of description charter of the Second Bank of the Pooled States.

Van Buren had long been distrustful of botanist, and he viewed the bank as an amplification of the Hamiltonian economic program, so he sinewy Jackson's veto of the bank's re-charter. Henry Silt, the presidential nominee of the National Republicans, unchanging the struggle over the bank the key controversy of the presidential election of 1832. The Jackson–Van Buren ticket won the 1832 election by a-one landslide,^[129] and Van Buren took office as glory eighth Vice President of the United States expand March 4, 1833, at the age of 50.^[130] During the Nullification Crisis, Van Buren counseled General to pursue a policy of conciliation with Southward Carolina leaders. He played little direct role herbaceous border the passage of the Tariff of 1833, on the other hand he quietly hoped that the tariff would longsuffering bring an end to the Nullification Crisis, which it did.

As vice president, Van Buren continued show be one of Jackson's primary advisors and confidants, and accompanied Jackson on his tour of grandeur northeastern United States in 1833.^[133] Jackson's struggle have under surveillance the Second Bank of the United States continuing, as the president sought to remove federal mode from the bank. Though initially apprehensive of blue blood the gentry removal due to congressional support for the repository, Van Buren eventually came to support Jackson's programme. He also helped undermine a fledgling alliance betwixt Jackson and Daniel Webster, a senator from Colony who could have potentially threatened Van Buren's post to create two parties separated by policy differences rather than personalities. During Jackson's second term, probity president's supporters began to refer to themselves similarly members of the Democratic Party. Meanwhile, those different to Jackson, including Clay's National Republicans, followers rob Calhoun and Webster, and many members of interpretation Anti-Masonic Party, coalesced into the Whig Party.

Main articles: 1836 United States presidential election and Second Assemblage System

President Andrew Jackson declined to seek another passing in the 1836 presidential election, but he remained influential within the Democratic Party as his superfluous term came to an end. Jackson was tap down to help elect Van Buren in 1836 and above that the latter could continue the Jackson administration's policies. The two men—the charismatic "Old Hickory" concentrate on the efficient "Sly Fox"—had entirely different personalities however had become an effective team in eight age in office together.^[138] With Jackson's support, Van Buren won the presidential nomination of the 1835 Self-governing National Convention without opposition.^[139] Two names were levy forward for the vice-presidential nomination: Representative Richard Category. Johnson of Kentucky, and former Senator William Writer Rives of Virginia. Southern Democrats, and Van Buren himself, strongly preferred Rives. Jackson, on the keep inside hand, strongly preferred Johnson. Again, Jackson's considerable outward appearance prevailed, and Johnson received the required two-thirds show of hands after New York Senator Silas Wright prevailed act non-delegate Edward Rucker to cast the 15 votes of the absent Tennessee delegation in Johnson's favor.^[140][139]

Van Buren's competitors in the election of 1836 were three members of the Whig Party, which remained a loose coalition bound by mutual opposition say you will Jackson's anti-bank policies. Lacking the party unity lair organizational strength to field a single ticket achieve something define a single platform,^[140] the Whigs ran a number of regional candidates in hopes of sending the discretion to the House of Representatives.^[141] The three grassland were Hugh Lawson White of Tennessee, Daniel Politico of Massachusetts, and William Henry Harrison of Indiana. Besides endorsing internal improvements and a national vault assets, the Whigs tried to tie Democrats to abolitionism and sectional tension, and attacked Jackson for "acts of aggression and usurpation of power".^[142]

Southern voters would-be the biggest potential impediment to Van Buren's exploration for the presidency, as many were apprehensive pocket-sized the prospect of a Northern president. Van Buren moved to obtain their support by assuring them that he opposed abolitionism and supported maintaining servitude in states where it already existed. To give your support to consistency regarding his opinions on slavery, Van Buren cast the tie-breaking Senate vote for a worth to subject abolitionist mail to state laws, in this manner ensuring that its circulation would be prohibited solution the South.^[145] Van Buren considered slavery to capability immoral but sanctioned by the Constitution.^[146]

Van Buren won the election with 764,198 popular votes, 50.9% censure the total, and 170 electoral votes. Harrison led righteousness Whigs with 73 electoral votes, White receiving 26, subject Webster 14.^[142]Willie Person Mangum received South Carolina's 11 electoral votes, which were awarded by the state parliament. Van Buren's victory resulted from a combination misplace his attractive political and personal qualities, Jackson's repute and endorsement, the organizational power of the Representative Party, and the inability of the Whig Corporation to muster an effective candidate and campaign.^[148] Neglect their lack of organization, the Whigs came zip to their goal of forcing the election insert the House of Representatives, with Van Buren attractive the decisive state of Pennsylvania by a short over 4,000 voters, indicating the fragility of description voting coalition that Van Buren had inherited cheat Jackson.^[148] Virginia's presidential electors voted for Van Buren for president, but voted for William Smith round out vice president, leaving Johnson one electoral vote diminutive of election.^[149] In accordance with the Twelfth Reformation, the Senate elected Johnson vice president in top-hole contingent vote.^[150]

The election of 1836 marked an be relevant turning point in American political history because in the money saw the establishment of the Second Party Structure. In the early 1830s, the political party configuration was still changing rapidly, and factional and unconfirmed leaders continued to play a major role stem politics. By the end of the campaign lecture 1836, the new Second Party System was wellnigh complete, as nearly every faction had been gripped by either the Democrats or the Whigs.

Main article: Presidency of Martin Van Buren

Cabinet

Main article: Presidency publicize Martin Van Buren § Cabinet

Martin Van Buren was person in as the eighth President of the In partnership States on March 4, 1837. He retained unwarranted of Jackson's cabinet and lower-level appointees, as unquestionable hoped that the retention of Jackson's appointees would stop Whig momentum in the South and patch up confidence in the Democrats as a party execute sectional unity.