JOURNAL ARTICLE

Martin Van Buren: America's First Politician by James M. Bradley (review).

  • Published In: New York History, 2025, v. 106, n. 2. P. 285 1 of 3

  • Database: America: History and Life with Full Text 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Giltner, Phil 3 of 3

Abstract

This article reviews a modern biography of Martin Van Buren, focusing on his role as a key figure in early American politics and the development of the Democratic Party. It highlights Van Buren’s rise from modest origins to the presidency, his pragmatic and cautious political style, and his limited ideological commitments, particularly regarding slavery and social issues. The biography challenges the notion of Van Buren as a political genius, portraying his successes as uncertain and largely dependent on personal alliances within a fragile and patronage-driven political system. The work also situates Van Buren within the broader weaknesses of the antebellum republic, which struggled with deep political and social divisions leading up to the Civil War. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:New York History. 2025/12, Vol. 106, Issue 2, p285
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:History
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0146-437X
  • DOI:10.1353/nyh.2025.a983875
  • Accession Number:192148215
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