Martin Van Buren

Van Buren is remembered for his skill as a party organizer and for a technocratic approach to governance. His presidency was dominated by the Panic of 1837 and a severe economic depression, and he promoted the Independent Treasury to separate federal funds from private banks.

He helped shape the modern Democratic Party and the spoils system, and later opposed the extension of slavery into new territories, running as the Free Soil candidate in 1848. Historians view him as an adept politician whose presidency was constrained by economic crisis and rising sectional tensions.

Established the Independent Treasury system; Managed the federal response to the Panic of 1837 and the ensuing depression; Strengthened Democratic Party organization and political patronage; Served as Andrew Jackson’s Secretary of State and Vice President prior to the presidency; Ran as the Free Soil Party presidential candidate in 1848 opposing slavery’s expansion