Were American People Justified To Blame For The Depression Of 1837?

The Depression of 1837 was the outcome of several misfortunate decisions and developments. These events eventually created a financial state of emergency in in the United States which continued beyond 1837. Some of the major factors that caused the crisis were bad Presidential decisions, faulty foreign affairs as well as rash actions of state banks. For this assignment, the question was proposed, were the American people justified in blaming President Van Buren for the Depression of 1837? It is my opinion that American people were partly justified in blaming President Van Buren for the Depression of 1837. The Depression of 1837 was the result of actions of Presidents Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren. These actions significantly impacted our nation leading up to the crisis. President Jackson’s decision making was the root cause for the problems during his presidency. It was President Van Buren’s misfortune to have inherited Jackson’s problems. Buren’s sole choice was to ride out the crisis and attempt to restore order in the United States. In President Van Buren’s defense, there were no tools of government intervention normally used by Presidents to the improve economy such as we have in today’s government.

Based on the actions of President Jackson, three of his main presidential …show more content…
The misfortunate decisions and developments created a financial state of emergency in the United States which continued beyond 1837. Some of the major factors that caused the crisis were bad Presidential decisions, faulty foreign affairs as well as rash actions of state banks. Therefore, it is my opinion that American people were partly justified in blaming President Van Buren for the Depression of 1837. However, in President Van Buren’s defense, there were no tools of government intervention normally used by Presidents to the improve economy such as we have in today’s