PERIODIC PRESIDENTS on BOBBLEHEAD GEORGE

A lawyer by trade, Van Buren was the first president born an American citizen. All other previous presidents were born British citizens. He was also the first president NOT born of British descent. He grew up in a Dutch speaking household. He was also the only president who spoke English as a second language.  

 

Martin Van Buren used his close ties to Andrew Jackson to secure the nomination of the Democratic party in the election of 1836.

The Whigs, a party created in opposition to Jackson and his policies, ran four candidates.  The intent was to split the vote enough that Van Buren would not gain a majority of electoral votes.  The plan failed, and Van Buren won the needed electoral votes to become our 8th president

 

One of the major issues of Van Buren's presidency was a financial crisis known as the Panic of 1837. Where Jackson had disbanded the Second Bank of the United States favoring more state controlled finances Van Buren established the Independent Treasury to manage the chaotic money supply of the nation.  

 

By 1840 Van Buren’s magic ran out as he was defeated by the Whig party. He was an unsuccessful candidate for President on the Free Soil ticket in 1848. He died in 1862.