Martin Van Buren Research Paper

Forty Three men have served as the President of the United States. Each man brought his own ideas, philosophies and ambition to the office. Some of the these gentlemen have been credited with changing the presidency and defining the age, while others have been credited with being helplessly defined by the events of the era in which they held the office. History gives reverence to all of the men who served in what is considered the most powerful position not only in the United States, but also in the world. Perhaps history shows us, that it is not about getting elected to the Presidency that should be applauded, but how one handles the social, political, and economic climate, which he inherits. History often depicts the president based off of …show more content…
Martin Van Buren is the only president that spoke English as his second language. Instead, he spoke Dutch as his native language. He was raised by Abraham and Maria, his parents, who had Dutch descent. Abraham, his father, owned a tavern and inn, where government workers visited often such as Alexander Hamilton, who gave Buren first glimpses of American politics. Martin attended Kinderhook schoolhouse until he was fourteen. This was unusual w Buren was needed by his family for his labor.
Later on, Buren didn’t go to college, but he worked in a lawyer's office as a law clerk for seven years and would study law at night. He moved to New York City and had his own law practice with his brother, James Van Allen, and it was successful. In politics, Van Buren was part of Democratic-Republicans and believed in the Jeffersonians principles, mostly because his family were Jeffersonians. In 1821, Buren won an election for the U.S Senate. Eventually, Van Buren’s support for Andrew Jackson paid off, since he was asked to be part of Jackson’s cabinet as a secretary of state. In the 1832 election, Jackson selected Van Buren to be his Vice President, which Andrew Jackson won