Martin Van Buren was a devious and wily politician who served as our nation’s 8th president. Martin Van Buren was born and died in Kinderhook, New York, where he lived about half of his life. Martin Van Buren was a successful politician who held the positions of Surrogate of Columbia County, New York, Member of New York State Senate, Attorney General of New York, United State Senator, 9th Governor of New York, 10th Secretary of State, United States Minister to the United Kingdom, Vice President, and the 8th president of the United States. Martin Van Buren’s extensive accomplishments truly earned him the nickname “Little Magician.” Martin Van Buren’s political career had a significant impact both locally and nationally. Martin Van Buren’s has …show more content…
Van Buren was the first president that was an United States citizen (because the other presidents were all born when America was still under British control). Martin Van Buren was also the first president not having English as their first language because of his Dutch ancestry. Van Buren was also the only president to not have a degree or military condition also. Our 8th president played a national and local impact because of his dedication to his own political views. His political career was summed up well by,
He was principal organizer of the Jacksonian party, a moderating influence in party councils, and a stubborn and principled leader who ultimately went down fighting for two great causes in which he deeply believed - the Independent Treasury as an effective and realistic means of separating government from the banks, and opposition to the annexation of Texas as a means of quieting sectional clamor and preserving the Union (Brown 491).
Van Buren’s dedication to what he believes truly was the reason for his success and many political opportunities. However Van Buren faced difficulties as president, his servitude at many of the highest positions in the country including the 8th president of the United States, his passionate views on slavery, his aid to Andrew Jackson, and dealing with the Panic of 1837 made Van Buren a prominent figure in history locally and