Constitutional Law Reporter
Award
Menu
  • Home
  • US Constitution
  • Supreme Court Cases
  • Justices
    • Chief Supreme Court Justices
    • Current Supreme Court Justices
    • Past US Supreme Court Justices
  • American Biographies
    • General
    • Presidents
    • Vice-Presidents
  • Articles
    • Current Cases
    • Historical Cases
    • Impeachment
  • Videos
  • Links
Hot-Topics

May 21, 2025 | Supreme Court Sides With FDA on Flavored Vape Denials

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
<< Back

Martin Van Buren

Martin Van Buren - Great American Biographies

Martin Van Buren served as Vice President to Andrew Jackson (1833-1837) and as the eighth President of the United States (1837-1841).

Early Life

Martin Van Buren was born on December 5th, 1782 in Kinderhook, New York. Born to parents of Dutch descent, Van Buren was the first president without British ancestors. Van Buren was exposed to politics from an early age, as his father operated a tavern often frequented by politicians traveling between New York City and Albany. This exposure likely played a role in his decision to pursue a political career, which began when he became a county official shortly after being admitted to the bar.

Early Career

In 1812, Van Buren was elected to the New York State Senate where he served for two terms. As a state senator, he actively sought to develop New York’s Democratic-Republican party. Then, in 1821, Van Buren was elected to the United States Senate. Van Buren, who firmly believed that the federal government should not interfere with states’ rights, voiced support for Andrew Jackson, who shared the same views. Van Buren also played a crucial role in forming the Democratic party, as he was one of the leading voices opposing John Quincy Adams’ position as president.

After Andrew Jackson won the presidential election, Van Buren was appointed as his Secretary of State. The two proceeded to establish a close relationship. The relationship Van Buren built with Jackson proved worthwhile for him, as Van Buren served as Jackson’s vice president during his second term of presidency.

Presidency

In 1836, Martin Van Buren was elected to become the eighth President of the United States. His biggest challenge during his presidency was leading the nation through the Panic of 1837. In response to the panic, Van Buren proposed that federal funds be deposited in an independent treasury rather than state banks. This proposal, however, sparked criticism from those who believed a national bank was required to overcome the poor state of the economy. Resistance to the proposal lasted for three years. When Van Buren’s proposal for an independent treasury finally passed in 1840, the economic panic transitioned into a depression. Van Buren’s response to the panic caused many to question his leadership.

Van Buren was also criticized for his policies towards Native Americans. As president, Van Buren furthered Jackson’s policy of removing Native Americans from their lands. In 1838, Cherokee Indians were ordered removed from their land, which led to a quarter of the Cherokee Indians losing their lives. Van Buren also faced a conflict with the Seminole Indians in Florida who resisted removal. These resistance efforts resulted in the deaths of thousands of Indians, which sparked criticism of Van Buren and his administration.

Death

Martin Van Buren died in 1862 when he was seventy-nine years old.

Previous Articles

SCOTUS Agrees to Consider Birthright Citizen Cases
by DONALD SCARINCI on May 21, 2025

The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to consider legal challenges to President Donald Trump’s execut...

Read More
SCOTUS Rules Non-Citizens Must Challenge Removal Under Alien Enemies Act
by DONALD SCARINCI on May 6, 2025

In Trump v. J.G.G., the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that non-citizens challenging their removal under ...

Read More
Causing Physical Harm Always Involves “Use of Force”
by DONALD SCARINCI on April 29, 2025

In Delligatti v. United States, 604 U.S. ____ (2025), the U.S. Supreme Court held that the knowing ...

Read More
All Posts

The Amendments

  • Amendment1
    • Establishment ClauseFree Exercise Clause
    • Freedom of Speech
    • Freedoms of Press
    • Freedom of Assembly, and Petitition
    Read More
  • Amendment2
    • The Right to Bear Arms
    Read More
  • Amendment4
    • Unreasonable Searches and Seizures
    Read More
  • Amendment5
    • Due Process
    • Eminent Domain
    • Rights of Criminal Defendants
    Read More

Preamble to the Bill of Rights

Congress of the United States begun and held at the City of New-York, on Wednesday the fourth of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine.

THE Conventions of a number of the States, having at the time of their adopting the Constitution, expressed a desire, in order to prevent misconstruction or abuse of its powers, that further declaratory and restrictive clauses should be added: And as extending the ground of public confidence in the Government, will best ensure the beneficent ends of its institution.

Read More

More Recent Posts

  • SCOTUS Clarifies Bruen in Upholding Federal Gun Law
  • SCOTUS Rules Challenged South Carolina District Is Not a Racial Gerrymander
  • Supreme Court Rejects Strict Criminal Forfeiture Timelines
  • Supreme Court Clarifies “Safety Valve” in Federal Criminal Sentencing Laws

Constitutional Law Reporter Twitter

A Twitter List by S_H_Law

Constitutional Law Reporter RSS

donald scarinci constitutional law attorney

Editor

Donald Scarinci

Managing Partner

Scarinci Hollenbeck

(201) 806-3364

Awards


Follow me

© 2018 Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC. All rights reserved.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Attorney Advertising