Martin Van Buren, the eighth President of the United States, is known to have played a vital role in shaping America’s partisan politics, the effects of which are still felt today. His career reflects a shift toward political parties, a concept initially met with skepticism by the Founding Fathers. Van Buren believed that partisan politics were essential for resolving disputes, engaging citizens, and holding politicians accountable.
The Political Climate Before Van Buren
The political climate at the time, before Van Buren fully entered the scene, was factionalized due to in-fighting and a general lack of organization and ideological unity. Van Buren recognized this as a weakness within the Democratic-Republican party and sought to create a cohesive, unified political organization.
The Birth of the Democratic Party
In creating a more united party, first in New York and then nationally, Van Buren believed that political conflict, among allies and opponents alike, was unavoidable but that a strong party system could manage this effectively. His efforts led to the birth of the Democratic Party, which remains a major force in American politics, and Van Buren hoped this would address factionalism so that political opponents could be effectively defeated.
Political Parties as Tools for Governance
Van Buren aimed to unite citizens through “party principle” rather than “personal preference.” At the time, multiple candidates for election were within the same party, and Van Buren believed that principled parties would last longer and ensure that elections were decided on national issues rather than localized ones.
Van Buren’s Ideals
Van Buren pledged to rule with a “light touch,” believing that the American people did not need Washington because they could govern themselves. He wanted to build upon the Jeffersonian and Jacksonian political ideals, which sought to limit the power of the federal government and protect citizens from government and public institutions that could threaten their freedoms.
The Dark Side of the Democratic Party
Van Buren’s approach had some major drawbacks. Soon after his administration, the Democratic Party became associated with the expansion of slavery by backing the suppression of abolitionist literature, the army expelled Native Americans from their homelands, and the American economy collapsed, leaving many people broke after the country had been thriving only weeks before.
Managing Sectionalism and the Political Landscape
Van Buren’s vision of a party system involved managing sectional disputes and maintaining citizen engagement, in an effort to unite political organizations and citizenry. His political ideals helped create a template for modern political parties, and while the political landscape has changed since his Presidency, the principles he championed remain relevant.
Van Buren’s Presidency and Its Aftermath
Van Buren has been considered an unsuccessful President owing to the expansion of slavery, the removal of Native Americans from their homelands, and the financial crises the country faced shortly after his inauguration. However, his significant contributions to the nation’s political life must be acknowledged because he openly rejected the Founding Fathers’ attitudes of political indifference, upholding the principle of majority rule.
Van Buren’s Enduring Influence on American Politics
Despite being an unsuccessful president, Van Buren’s contribution to the nation’s political life remains significant. His advocacy for a permanent party system led to the creation of the Democratic Party, changing the political landscape forever. The debates that defined Van Buren’s era, such as executive power, states’ rights, immigration, and economic inequality continue to shape American politics.
The Legacy of Van Buren in Today’s Political Environment
Today’s politicians still use aspects of Van Buren’s ethos, giving him a place in history as a pivotal figure in the development of America’s partisan politics. Because of him, current elections continue to reveal the strengths of candidates and the key issues on voters’ minds, forcing Americans to reshape their alliances.
Sources
The father of the party system
A Brief History of the Democratic Party
Martin Van Buren: Impact and Legacy
