Martin Van Buren
The American Presidents Series: The 8th President, 1837-1841
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- £8.99
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- £8.99
Publisher Description
The first president born after America's independence ushers in a new era of democracy
Dive deep into the political life of the first president born after America's independence. Martin Van Buren, skillfully crafted by Ted Widmer, a veteran of the Clinton White House, brings to life an era of no-holds-barred democracy. The story unfolds with the rise of Martin Van Buren, characterized as the first 'professional politician,' a man with stark contrast to his rugged and democratic champion predecessor, Andrew Jackson.
From his role as a U.S. senator to secretary of state, and then vice president under Jackson, his path to the Oval Office seems inevitable. Van Buren's presidency, however, is a stark shift from his political victories, marred with conflicts and the undeniable impact of the great banking panic of 1837.
This deep look into one of America's most contentious political eras will offer an enlightening insight into the power of democracy. Whether you're a history enthusiast or a student of political science, this narrative offers an invaluable perspective into our democratic roots.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In the latest volume of Arthur Schlesinger's American Presidents series, Widmer (Young America) paints a brief but elegant portrait of our eighth president, who, Widmer says, created the modern political party system, for which he deserves our "grudging respect." Andrew Jackson's successor, Martin Van Buren (1782 1862) was also at various times Jackson's secretary of state, ambassador to the Court of St. James's and vice president. As Widmer relates, some newspapermen called the New York Democrat "the little magician" because of his diminutive frame and his deftness at political sleight of hand. Others who criticized his response when the American economy ground to a halt shortly after his election in 1836 called him "Martin Van Ruin." Despite the collapse of financial markets in 1837, Van Buren held fast to his belief in the Jacksonian principles of limited federal government, states' rights and protection of the "people" from the "powerful." This led him to reject calls for a national bank and an independent treasury. Throughout his term, Van Buren effectively took no federal action to alleviate the economic crisis. Thus it was not surprising when, despite building the Democratic Party into a well-oiled machine, he went down to defeat after just one term, beaten by William Henry Harrison, the Virginian Whig of aristocratic background who posed as a simple rustic. All this Widmer relates powerfully, engagingly and efficiently.
