Presidential Portraits Martin Van Buren Dec

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Presidential Portraits Martin Van Buren Dec presidential portraits Martin Van Buren Dec. 5, 1782 ~ July 24, 1862 Tribune illustration by Rick Tuma State: New York Highlights of presidency: An eco- zen. When he was vice president, he nomic depression throughout his presided over the senate with loaded Religion: He may have been Dutch presidency was a major factor in Van pistols. A political faction headed by Reformed, but he worshiped at St. Buren’s failed reelection campaign Van Buren eventually became the John’s Episcopal Church during his in 1840. The border dispute between Democratic Party. He made three presidency. Maine and New Brunswick, Canada, unsuccessful bids for reelection. One came to a head during Van Buren’s of only three presidents of Dutch Marriage: Hannah Hoes term in office and was temporarily ancestry, Van Buren and his wife settled by a truce arranged by Gen. spoke Dutch at home. His autobiog- Military service: None Winfield Scott. Van Buren opposed raphy does not mention his wife even statehood for Texas because it threat- once. Until George H.W. Bush, Van Party: Democrat ened to exacerbate the debate over Buren was the last vice president to be slavery. Texas became a state in 1845. elected to succeed the president under Term: March 4, 1837 – March 3, 1841 whom he served. He served as N.Y. Did you know? Van Buren was the state senator 1812-1820, U.S. senator Vice president: Richard Mentor first president born after the Declara- 1821-1828, N.Y. governor from Jan.- Johnson tion of Independence was signed and March 1829; secretary of state, 1829- the first president born as a U.S. citi- 1831; and vice president, 1833-1837. www.chicagotribune.com/presidents.
Recommended publications
  • Martin Van Buren: the Greatest American President
    SUBSCRIBE NOW AND RECEIVE CRISIS AND LEVIATHAN* FREE! “The Independent Review does not accept “The Independent Review is pronouncements of government officials nor the excellent.” conventional wisdom at face value.” —GARY BECKER, Noble Laureate —JOHN R. MACARTHUR, Publisher, Harper’s in Economic Sciences Subscribe to The Independent Review and receive a free book of your choice* such as the 25th Anniversary Edition of Crisis and Leviathan: Critical Episodes in the Growth of American Government, by Founding Editor Robert Higgs. This quarterly journal, guided by co-editors Christopher J. Coyne, and Michael C. Munger, and Robert M. Whaples offers leading-edge insights on today’s most critical issues in economics, healthcare, education, law, history, political science, philosophy, and sociology. Thought-provoking and educational, The Independent Review is blazing the way toward informed debate! Student? Educator? Journalist? Business or civic leader? Engaged citizen? This journal is for YOU! *Order today for more FREE book options Perfect for students or anyone on the go! The Independent Review is available on mobile devices or tablets: iOS devices, Amazon Kindle Fire, or Android through Magzter. INDEPENDENT INSTITUTE, 100 SWAN WAY, OAKLAND, CA 94621 • 800-927-8733 • [email protected] PROMO CODE IRA1703 Martin Van Buren The Greatest American President —————— ✦ —————— JEFFREY ROGERS HUMMEL resident Martin Van Buren does not usually receive high marks from histori- ans. Born of humble Dutch ancestry in December 1782 in the small, upstate PNew York village of Kinderhook, Van Buren gained admittance to the bar in 1803 without benefit of higher education. Building on a successful country legal practice, he became one of the Empire State’s most influential and prominent politi- cians while the state was surging ahead as the country’s wealthiest and most populous.
    [Show full text]
  • William Jennings Bryan and His Opposition to American Imperialism in the Commoner
    The Uncommon Commoner: William Jennings Bryan and his Opposition to American Imperialism in The Commoner by Dante Joseph Basista Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in the History Program YOUNGSTOWN STATE UNIVERSITY August, 2019 The Uncommon Commoner: William Jennings Bryan and his Opposition to American Imperialism in The Commoner Dante Joseph Basista I hereby release this thesis to the public. I understand that this thesis will be made available from the OhioLINK ETD Center and the Maag Library Circulation Desk for public access. I also authorize the University or other individuals to make copies of this thesis as needed for scholarly research. Signature: Dante Basista, Student Date Approvals: Dr. David Simonelli, Thesis Advisor Date Dr. Martha Pallante, Committee Member Date Dr. Donna DeBlasio, Committee Member Date Dr. Salvatore A. Sanders, Dean of Graduate Studies Date ABSTRACT This is a study of the correspondence and published writings of three-time Democratic Presidential nominee William Jennings Bryan in relation to his role in the anti-imperialist movement that opposed the US acquisition of the Philippines, Guam and Puerto Rico following the Spanish-American War. Historians have disagreed over whether Bryan was genuine in his opposition to an American empire in the 1900 presidential election and have overlooked the period following the election in which Bryan’s editorials opposing imperialism were a major part of his weekly newspaper, The Commoner. The argument is made that Bryan was authentic in his opposition to imperialism in the 1900 presidential election, as proven by his attention to the issue in the two years following his election loss.
    [Show full text]
  • Tourism News
    Tourism News For Immediate Release, March 17, 2017 Roosevelt-Vanderbilt-Van Buren National Historic Sites Attracted More Than 663,000 Visits in 2016 HYDE PARK, NEW YORK – The Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, The Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site and Martin Van Buren National Historic Site recorded more than 663,000 visitors in 2016, which coincided with the National Park Service’s Centennial year celebration. The numbers reflect a 7% increase in visitation at the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site and an 18.4% increase at Martin Van Buren National Historic Site, surpassing 2015 visitation figures. “Remarkable” stated Superintendent Larry Turk. “It was just a few years ago when we saw a major increase in visitation as a result of the Ken Burns documentary, The Roosevelts. We figured it would be hard to top that. It’s great to see the strong increases in visitation to the two Presidential Homes. Due in large part to our centennial campaign, Find Your Park/Encuentra Tu Parque, and our park partners, we were able to reach new audiences and highlight more of our community involvement.” Students attending park programs and tours in 2016 at The Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, the Eleanor Roosevelt National Site, and Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site increased 21% over 2015 figures. The Every Kid in Park program also encouraged visitation by offering every fourth grader in America a free one-year National Parks Pass for the student and his or her family. In 2016, over 300 park volunteers donated over 13,000 hours of service.
    [Show full text]
  • COUNTY ~OF~COLDIBIT That Icannot Endure That
    DAILY TRIBUNE. frUJS-UAT. DIISE 8, Xi iNEW-YOKK HAVE FORMED AN ASSOCIATION IN THIS IS THE LATEST NEW YORK COUNTY WHOSE SONS CITY. COLUMBIA these coarse mirjiti do under Ihave teen \u25a0*>>< . to during this trial? Iacknowledge th« js'*" COLUMBIA COUNTY, ASSOCIATION. violated the decorum of this court. and shtviM Z* THE LEADING MEMBERS OE THE punished. But Ipray your Honor not to d^ SOME OF by punishment In the common , me Jan. far"—rS COUNTY ~OF~COLDIBIT that Icannot endure that. Ibee your -*" so Car modify the sentence of the court aitr •»? fllct a fine upon me—lcare not how term \u2666?" amount may be. The example of s«ueh a "-1*„',\ be sufficient, and Iam sure Justice would OF ITS SOXS dlcated.' >"•••«*-"be ORGANIZATION judge "But the was firm and inexorable— th» \u25a0.. _ MADEHOMES personification of justice In the act of t«m .".\u25a0** WHO HAVE due punishment. Amid the profound. «SSS stifling, silence, the Sheriff obeyed, and in hi*7,-i! prominent METROPOLIS. tody two of the most lawyer:— of th IX State passed out of the courthouse, and rra'\u25a0!* incarcerated. MC3 "Before the opening of court that morning Juris. Esmonds had received an invitation to spend « PRESIDENT VAN evening with ex-President Van Buren at Lind«n THE BIRTHPLACE OF wald. John was to be his companion on the"vt«i-* The morning after the day spent In Jail, dtzrinz » BUREN AND SAMUEL J. TILDEN- recess. Van Buren approached the bench. laid*>.« arm carelessly but easily upon it.and. in his cec'u SCENE OF ANTI-BENT RIOTS— liar manner, remarked: 'I hope jour Honor •* last night.* s"l<»n« well'• LEGENDS OF "As there was nothing to disturb my * I* CO- certainly reply.
    [Show full text]
  • Martin Van Buren, Letter to Thomas Ritchie (1827)1
    AMERICAN POLITICAL THOUGHT Keith E. Whittington Supplementary Material Chapter 4: The Early National Period – Citizenship and Community Martin Van Buren, Letter to Thomas Ritchie (1827)1 Martin Van Buren, the “Little Magician,” grew up near Albany New York in a Dutch farming community in the years after the American Revolution. He had limited formal education but apprenticed to be an attorney. He was soon drawn into politics and became an advocate for Thomas Jefferson’s election to the presidency in 1800. He quickly emerged as an ambitious and cunning political strategist. He was instrumental in organizing a New York faction of the Republican Party (the “Bucktails”) who were hostile to the faction led by Governor De Witt Clinton. The Bucktails sent Van Buren to the U.S. Senate in 1821. He returned to New York to briefly serve as governor in 1829, before resigning to become U.S. Secretary of State under President Andrew Jackson. He succeeded Jackson in the presidency in the 1836 elections, serving one ill-fated term of office. Although he wanted to return to the White House, he was not able to regain the Democratic nomination after his electoral defeat in 1840. In his later years, he became an increasingly vocal antislavery Democrat, receiving the Free Soil Party presidential nomination in 1848. Van Buren was instrumental in forming the Democratic Party around the candidacy of Andrew Jackson in the late 1820s. The party division between the Jeffersonian Republicans and the Federalists had been washed away during the “Era of Good Feelings” under President James Monroe. In 1824, the electorate had fractured among various regional “favorite son” candidates.
    [Show full text]
  • Polk, James Knox
    Published on NCpedia (https://www.ncpedia.org) Home > Polk, James Knox Polk, James Knox [1] Share it now! JAMES KNOX POLK November 2, 1795 - June 15, 1849 James Knox Polk [2] followed a career path which was blazed by Andrew Jackson [3]. Both men hailed from southwestern North Carolina. Both migrated to Tennessee, where they practiced law and entered politics, and both were elected president of the United States. As similar as their paths were, James Polk was a different personality from his fiery predecessor. His life and career were marked by a relentless pursuit of his goals instead of the dramatic aura that perpetually surrounded Jackson. The effects of Polk's presidency, however, were more dramatic upon the nation. James Knox Polk was born on his family farm inM ecklenburg County [4], North Carolina, in 1795. The oldest of ten children, Polk suffered from poor health. In spite of his less than robust stamina, Polk moved west into Tennessee with his family where they settled on land purchased from Polk's grandfather. Polk developed severe gallstones, which were surgically removed in a risky procedure at that time. Without the benefit of modern technology, sterilization, or anesthesia, Polk remarkably survived the surgery. During these early years, his education was informal until 1813 when he enrolled in a Presbyterian school in Columbia. Polk soon transferred to a more challenging school and in 1816 returned to North Carolina to attend the University in Chapel Hill. The future president excelled at the University of North Carolina, graduating with honors in 1818. Returning to Tennessee in 1819, Polk took up the study of law and was admitted to the bar the following year.
    [Show full text]
  • Republican Conventions, Tickets Since 1860
    THE STATES Democratic Conventions And Tickets Since 1832 Tennessee 91 Delegates (9 are superdelegates) This week’s gathering in Charlotte is only the fifth time the Democrats Delegation headquarters: Courtyard by Marriott University have held their convention in the South. The other four weren’t auspi- 333 W. W.T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, 704-549-4888 cious for the party. In 1860, the convention couldn’t even nominate a candidate and the Republicans won the White House all four times. President Senate Year Host city Nominee for Nominee for (11 electoral votes) SAFE REPUBLICAN president vice president Romney favored Mark Clayton, D 1832 Baltimore Andrew Jackson Martin Van Buren 2008 results: McCain 57%, Obama 42% vs. Bob Corker, R 1835 Baltimore Martin Van Buren Richard M. Johnson 1840 Baltimore Martin Van Buren (none nominated) House (9 seats) 1844 Baltimore James K. Polk George M. Dallas Democrat Republican 1848 Baltimore Lewis Cass William O. Butler 1852 Baltimore Franklin Pierce William R. King Safe (2) Safe (7) 1856 Cincinnati James Buchanan John C. Breckinridge 1860 Charleston Deadlocked 1860 Baltimore Stephen A. Douglas Benjamin Fitzpatrick Tennessee Democrats, who have fought long and hard to prevent Herschel V. Johnson1 Republican gains, have lost steam but seem to be holding on for now. 1864 Chicago George B. McClellan George H. Pendleton The governorship, both Senate seats and seven of the state’s nine 1868 New York Horatio Seymour Francis P. Blair House seats are held by Republicans. Democrats lost three of their five 1872 Baltimore Horace Greeley Benjamin G. Brown House members in the 2010 midterm election, but the current two Tennessee House Democrats, Reps.
    [Show full text]
  • Martin Van Buren the Story of Our Two-Party System
    Martin Van Buren The story of our two-party system EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Listen to Presidential at http://wapo.st/presidential This transcript was run through an automated transcription service and then lightly edited for clarity. There may be typos or small discrepancies from the podcast audio. CHRIS CILLIZZA: I often wonder -- because I'm a giant nerd -- what people like Van Buren would think of the modern process, particularly the 2016 election. LILLIAN CUNNINGHAM: That's Washington Post politics reporter Chris Cillizza. And why does he wonder what Martin Van Buren would think of the American political machine and party system today? Well, because Martin Van Buren basically created the beast. I'm Lillian Cunningham, and this is the eighth episode of Presidential. PRESIDENTIAL THEME MUSIC LILLIAN CUNNINGHAM: Here are the presidential vital stats for Martin Van Buren. He's born in Kinderhook, New York in 1782, and his family is Dutch. He's actually the only president we've had in all of American history so far who spoke English as his second language. He comes from a modest family. His father owns a farm and a tavern. Taverns at the time, though, were the main places that people would gather to talk politics -- so, he's exposed to politics from a very early age and gets involved at the local level. Van Buren works his way up the political ranks from the local level to the state level to the national level. He eventually becomes the main strategist for Andrew Jackson's successful presidential run in 1828. By Jackson's second term, Martin Van Buren is appointed vice president.
    [Show full text]
  • The Governors Who Became President: Brief Biographies David J
    Center on the American Governor, Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University http://governors.rutgers.edu/ ___________________________________________________________________________________ The Governors Who Became President: Brief Biographies David J. Andersen Center on the American Governor Thomas Jefferson ..................................... 2 James Monroe .......................................... 4 Martin Van Buren ...................................... 6 John Tyler ................................................. 8 James Polk .............................................. 10 Andrew Jackson ...................................... 12 Rutherford B. Hayes ................................ 15 Grover Cleveland .................................... 17 William McKinley ....................................... 19 Theodore Roosevelt ................................. 22 Woodrow Wilson ...................................... 26 Calvin Coolidge ........................................ 29 Franklin Delano Roosevelt ...................... 32 Jimmy Carter ........................................... 36 Ronald Reagan ....................................... 39 Bill Clinton ............................................... 42 George W. Bush ...................................... 45 Thomas Jefferson Governor of President of the Virginia United States (1779-1781) (1801-1808) Thomas Jefferson was one of the intellectual leaders during the founding period and left his mark on most of the major events that created America. Jefferson’s career included
    [Show full text]
  • Introduction James Polk Is Known As the First Dark Horse Candidate for The
    “The Dark Horse” Introduction James Polk is known as the first dark horse candidate for the US presidency. Though it is a stretch to call a former seven term US congressman, Speaker of the House, and governor unknown, many people were surprised by his nomination. Political campaigns were a lot different when Polk was alive. As a dark horse candidate, James Polk and the Democrats had to come up with a way to beat Henry Clay and the Whigs. In this lesson plan, your students will explore what the presidential campaign of 1844 looked and sounded like through the analysis of primary and secondary sources then plan, develop, and execute their own campaign. Objectives A. Research and analyze primary and secondary sources to explore how political conventions worked in 1844. B. Examine primary source excerpts from newspapers, personal accounts, and political documents to identify differences between the two major political parties during James Polk’s candidacy. C. Analyze political cartoons, ribbons, and songs to understand how political messages were spread during the 1844 campaign. D. Demonstrate understanding of the complex issues facing the United States during the 1844 campaign through the creation of political cartoons, songs, and speeches. TN State Standards 5.4 Identify the impact of important Tennesseans prior to the Civil War, including: President James K. Polk (Manifest Destiny) 8.53 Identify the major events and impact of James K. Polk’s presidency, including the annexation of Texas and the settlement of the Oregon boundary. TN.22 Describe the contributions of President James K. Polk to Tennessee and American history.
    [Show full text]
  • James K. Polk: Territorial Expansionist and the Evolution Of
    JAMES K. POLK: TERRITORIAL EXPANSIONIST AND THE EVOLUTION OF PRESIDENTIAL POWER Chris Blubaugh A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate College of Bowling Green State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS May 2013 Committee: Dr. Scott C. Martin, Advisor Dr. Edmund J. Danziger © 2013 Chris Blubaugh All Rights Reserved iii ABSTRACT Dr. Scott C. Martin, Advisor This thesis argues that through President James K. Polk’s leadership style (micro-managing domestic/foreign issues), his understanding of bureaucracy, and dominating his Cabinet, enabled Polk to achieve what his predecessors could not. Furthermore, Polk’s leadership and administrative style foreshadowed, and perhaps provided a precedent for the modern American presidency. To demonstrate Polk’s leadership style, two areas must be examined. First, explain Polk’s keys to success while in office, in particular his leadership style in relation to his policies. President Polk’s direct involvement in domestic and foreign issues enabled him to achieve his four administrative goals: tariff reduction, creation of an Independent Treasury, settlement of the Oregon Territory between the U.S. and England, and acquiring California. For example, he pushed economic legislation in Congress (Independent Treasury), and micro-managed the Mexican War to accomplish territorial objectives. Secondly, examine the departure that President Polk made from previous administrations in regards to administrative skill. Compared to preceding administrations, President Polk was an excellent leader who firmly managed his Cabinet. He consulted his Cabinet on policy questions, but the final decision was his to make. Furthermore, he knew precisely what he wanted to accomplish as president, and he understood the political channels he needed to consult to achieve his goals.
    [Show full text]
  • Martin Van Buren Martin Van Buren Was the First New Yorker to Become President of the United States
    Famous New Yorker: Martin Van Buren Martin Van Buren was the first New Yorker to become President of the United States. In doing so, he helped shape American politics into its modern form. The Van Buren family had been in America for 150 years when Martin was born in Kinderhook, Columbia County, on December 5, 1782. At his father’s tavern, Martin listened to local gossip and became fascinated by politics. Despite leaving school at age thirteen, Martin wanted to study law. He became a clerk for Francis Sylvester and did chores around the office while he studied. Sylvester encouraged him to become a Federalist, but Martin shared his father’s loyal- ty to Thomas Jefferson’s “Republicans.” He moved to New York City to work for a Republican lawyer. Van Buren started a Kinderhook law practice in 1803. In 1812 he won a state Senate seat. In Albany, he worked to protect debtors from imprisonment and organized opposition to Governor DeWitt Clinton. As a leader of the “Albany Regency,” he became Attorney General in 1815 and promoted a new state constitution that increased voting rights and limited the governor’s power. In 1821, when the state legislature elected Van Buren to the U. S. Senate, the country was virtually a one-party Republican state, Library of Congress, but rival leaders were splitting the Republicans apart. Senator Van Prints and Photographs Division [reproduction number, Buren believed that a political party should be based on consistent LC-BH82401-5239] principles and disciplined organization, not on elite personalities. He also hoped that a party based on Jeffersonian principles of limited government and vigilance against danger- ous concentrations of wealth could keep the country united despite growing conflicts of interest between Northerners and Southern slaveholders.
    [Show full text]